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“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not!” (Luke 13:34, ESV)

Have you ever gotten an email or a letter from someone who poured their heart out to you? You could practically feel the emotion oozing from the words?

This verse is like that, offering an incredible glimpse of Jesus’ heart for His people and His desire to love and protect them.

But look at the last five words–”but you wouldn’t let me.” Five words filled with sadness.

You know, loving someone who doesn’t love you back can be so painful. Ever been there? Maybe you’ve loved someone romantically who didn’t share your feelings. Or you’ve loved a child who repeatedly turned his back on you.

Whatever the situation, love that’s not reciprocated is maybe the most difficult love of all. I suppose God could’ve programmed us to love each other and Him, perfectly and completely–but that’s not love; that’s automation.

No, God created us to love by choice. You can choose to love other people or you can choose not to. You can choose to love God…or not. There’s great joy in the first choice, but incredible pain in the second. But it’s pretty much all up to you.

So, Jesus will never force you to love Him. He’ll never pressure you into having a relationship with Him. But why wouldn’t you?

Look at the picture of His heart for you in the verse today! Yeah, He’s talking to Jerusalem specifically here, but the Bible makes it clear that Jesus’ love and compassion extends to everyone, regardless of race or religion (remember John 3:16, that “for God so loved the world” verse?).

Think about it: What’s keeping you from loving Jesus–and opening up to His love for you?

In that same hour he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.” (Luke 10:21, ESV)  

Jesus talked in parables, dropping riddles and paradoxes all through His teaching: weakness is strength, service is greatness, the poor will inherit the kingdom, you must die to live, you must become like a child to understand great things. 

It’s no wonder that so many people were puzzled and confused by Jesus. He said things that were totally unexpected, even a little “out there.” 

But never without a reason. 

Here Jesus praises His Father God that the truth has been hidden from those who think they know so much, too smart to see the truth. It’s the humble, the willing, the open-hearted who are shown the truth. Those who come like a child, eager to see and learn everything.  

Why did Jesus hide the truth from some but made it plain to others?  Probably because He knows our hearts. He knows our tendency to take credit for what we know, to become proud and boastful. No, Jesus wants us to remember it’s all God’s work and not our own.  

In 1 Corinthians 1:18-29, the apostle Paul writes about the “foolish things” that God did or used, things that didn’t make sense by our standards, like sending His own Son to endure the cross and pay the penalty for our sins. It’s all Him, and nothing we did or could ever do for ourselves.

It pleased God to hide the truth from those who didn’t really want it, and instead reveal it to those seeking it, those who were willing and ready to hear and receive it. “Foolish” ones like you and me who come to Him with the simple trust and acceptance of a child.