SECOND SUNDAY IN LENT
March 13, 2022
AS WE GATHER
Jesus weeps. His heart is broken. He longs to gather God’s children together. Like the prophets of old, He laments over the unbelief He sees in the place where saving faith should be most evident: Jerusalem. “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem. . . . 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). Both back in the day and in our own day, many people refuse to be gathered to Jesus, even as He willingly and mercifully offers His life for all. This reality breaks Jesus’ heart, and it should break ours also. Nevertheless, there is good news: the rejection of the multitudes never deters the faithfulness of our Savior. He is relentless in His pursuit of sinners, longing to see them in the place where He gathers us in grace and fills us with forgiveness. That place is right here! Right here and now, Jesus invites you to come to Him. So we gather together as the children of God under the wings of our living and loving Savior!
Bible Readings
OLD TESTAMENT READING: Jeremiah 26:8–15
(The prophet calls God’s people to mend their ways and obey the voice of the Lord.)
EPISTLE READING: Philippians 3:17–4:1
(Our citizenship is in heaven, and from it, we await a Savior.)
HOLY GOSPEL: Luke 13:31–35 (Jesus longs to gather the Lord’s children together.)