You Were Not Willing
That title is a very sober and haunting statement made by Jesus regarding Jerusalem.
Matthew 23:37 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!
There are so many things Jesus desires to do, but He so often encounters an unwillingness in those He wishes to do something good in their lives.
Jesus was sent to the Jews for their redemption and blessing. However, many did not wish to receive Him.
John 1:11 He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.
Even today, many professing believers will reject the simplicity of the gospel and exchange it for a list of what to do, because they trust more in their capabilities than in His.
There's not a broken marriage, broken home, or bad situation or circumstance that the good news of Jesus cannot provide wisdom in navigating and experiencing peace, freedom, and wisdom that flows from Him.
Many prefer to find a counselor or minister who will provide them with a formula that involves their effort. They do this thinking that if they know what they need to do, they will do it, and the matter will be fixed. They are ignorant of how devoid of engaging the Father in relationship such an attitude is.
The extent of their prayers about it is usually, "Jesus, I ask You to fix this." It is not engaging in an interaction with the Lord for His heart in the matter, nor is it an effort to ask the Holy Spirit for revelation from the gospel to enhance wisdom to act in concert with the heart of Jesus about it.
Jesus wanted Jerusalem to welcome Hima nd engage in a relationship with the Father through Him. They enjoyed His miracles, signs, and wonders, as well as all the miraculous healings and people raised from the dead. But how many sought to have a relationship with and through Him with the Father? They were not willing to take a step in that direction. In their hearts, they rejected Him.
The religious leaders did not constitute the entire population of Jerusalem. There were people there who were not religious leaders, but they were just as unwilling as any religious leader. How many times has a parent yearned to help a child engage in a relationship with them, only to find their counsel and direction are ignored and they are pushed away? That is a case of that chilling phrase, "You were not willing."
It is the gospel that makes us aware of the things God did to enable us to engage in a relationship with Him at all levels. The gospel is not an introductory message; it is a life message. When it is taken lightly and largely ignored, it is a demonstration of someone's unwillingness to find the real solution to the challenges they will face in life.
