Episode 241 — Luke 13:31–35 — The Heart of Jesus

Hey everybody, welcome to the podcast, I’m Nick and it’s awesome to be here with you today.
Today is September 5.
Each day, we follow a simple rhythm: Slow Down, Read, Notice, Reread, Meditate, Respond, and Exercise.
Let’s begin.

Slow Down
You are stepping into a sacred space with Jesus.
Set aside the distractions of your day.
Close your eyes. Take a deep breath in, then slowly release it.
As you inhale, whisper: “Hosanna.” 
As you exhale, pray: “Blessed who comes in the name of the Lord.”
Do this three times, then rest in His presence.

Read
At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, “Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.” And he said to them, “Go and tell that fox, ‘Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I finish my course. Nevertheless, I must go on my way today and tomorrow and the day following, for it cannot be that a prophet should perish away from Jerusalem.’ 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 were not willing! Behold, your house is forsaken. And I tell you, you will not see me until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!’ ” 
(Luke 13:31–35, NLT)

Notice
What stands out to you in this passage?
Is there a phrase or truth that speaks directly to you?
Hold it gently before the Lord.

Reread
Hear this passage again and listen for what Jesus is saying about Jerusalem — and what it reveals about His heart.
  
Meditate
The Pharisees come with a warning: Herod wants to kill you. Get out.
And Jesus's response is remarkable. He's not afraid. He's not rattled. He knows exactly where He's going and what it will cost Him. "The third day I finish my course." He's walking toward the cross with His eyes wide open.
But then He stops. And He weeps over Jerusalem.
"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it!"
This is one of the most tender moments in all of Scripture. Jesus — on His way to be killed — stops to grieve over the city that will kill Him. Not with anger. Not with judgment. With longing.
"How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings — and you were not willing."
A hen gathering her chicks. It's the most vulnerable, maternal image imaginable. The hen who spreads her wings over her chicks in a storm — who would rather die than let them be harmed. That's the image Jesus uses for His own heart toward Jerusalem.
He wanted to gather them. He wanted to protect them. He wanted to draw them close. But they were not willing.
And yet — even in the lament, there is hope. "You will not see me until you say, 'Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.'" The door is not closed forever. The invitation is still open.
This passage reveals the heart of Jesus more clearly than almost any other. He is not a distant judge waiting to condemn. He is a grieving shepherd, longing to gather, willing to die for the ones who reject Him.
Take a few moments to sit with this question:
How does seeing the heart of Jesus — His longing, His grief, His willingness to die for those who reject Him — change how I relate to Him today?

Respond
Jesus, I see Your heart in this passage. You longed to gather Jerusalem even as they were preparing to kill You. You spread Your wings over people who weren't willing. Thank You for spreading Your wings over me. Help me to be willing — to come close, to be gathered, to live under Your protection and Your love.

Exercise
The rush of life will meet you again when you leave this sacred place—but you can carry this moment into your day by forming new habits.
Habit: Pray With Jesus's Heart 
Today's habit is an act of compassionate intercession: identify one person or one group of people that you've been frustrated with, written off, or given up on — and pray for them today with the heart of Jesus.
Write their name down.
Bring them to Jesus and pray: "Jesus, I bring _________________ to You. Like You grieved over Jerusalem, I grieve for them. I've wanted to give up. I've been frustrated. But You spread Your wings over people who rejected You. Help me to pray with Your heart. Gather them. Draw them close. And if You want to use me to open a door — I'm willing."
Then pray for them every day this week. Not once. Every day. With the persistence of a hen who won't stop calling her chicks home.

I have two asks of you before you go, could you please share this podcast with one person today and check out the review of this podcast on Elevate Society?
That’s your two minutes with Jesus for today.
Now, take what you’ve heard…share it and live it.
Until next time, keep slowing down, keep listening, and keep walking with Jesus.