33 “You snakes! You brood of vipers! How will you escape being condemned to hell? 34 Therefore I am sending you prophets and sages and teachers. Some of them you will kill and crucify; others you will flog in your synagogues and pursue from town to town. 35 And so upon you will come all the righteous blood that has been shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Berekiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar. 36 Truly I tell you, all this will come on this generation.
37 “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing. 38 Look, your house is left to you desolate. 39 For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’”
Michael Guzman
Church of God of Exeter – Exeter CA
Observation: The Father is sending signs and messengers to His people. He longs to be close to His people; to gather them together for protection and nurturing. In spite of His unrequited love, He still sends His best and keeps His heart wide open toward His children.
Action: Today I choose to respond with my Father’s heart. I will give my best toward those I come into contact (even those who have hurt or rejected me before), and I will keep my heart wide open toward my friends and family who have not yet responded to my Father’s call to them.
observation: i see Your heart Jesus, the heart of the Father for good. As You Jesus look to the cross, You look to those to whom Your invitation is given and weep and lament the fate they have chosen.
observation: today as i hang wth some brothers from another tribe i will seek to see and to share your heart for all. Let me see You and reveal You in ways Your invitation and challenge is welcomed. Be present Lord still.
Observation: God, You long for us all to be gathered to You. You invite us, call us to come to You so that You can do what a perfect and holy Dad wants to do-rescue us, love, cherish, provide and protect us
Action: Give me Your eyes and heart Lord to invite others into Your family-today and every day.
Lord help me to not be like the pharisees and reject your invitation and teachers words to me.. open my heart today to you and may the holy spirit move me to love others… even those that have hurt me … in your name Lord… amen
Observation: Jesus says God sent messengers to the peoples, but the people did not listen to them. The people could not we the messengers as messengers because they were stubborn or proud or certain they were they right.
Action: Jesus, I know I have likewise rejected Your messengers and message at times for similar reasons. Please forgive. I will evalue next time, investigating all messengers and messages to aew which ones come from You.
I agree w/ Mr Guzman that Our Father is always sending signs & messengers to help us. Last night a double rainbow was sent to our community to remind us that God is still involved & promises good things to us.
Application: please help me to be more receptive to your signs & messengers. Thank you for not giving up on me.
Observation: Teachers and leaders sent with a message from God have a long history of being neglected at best, persecuted at worst.
Action: Let us give special honor to those whom God has given the privilege of bringing His word to us, our pastors and teachers, each and every day.