In Matthew 23:37, we read Jesus’ lament over Jerusalem as He says, “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!” Here, Jesus had come to give His life for the salvation of all who would believe in Him, yet people hated Him, didn’t want anything to do with Him, rejected His offer of salvation, and eventually crucified Him.
I find sometimes a sad comparison to many people today, who aren’t the least bit interested in truly following Jesus. The scribes and Pharisees of Jesus’ day were all wrapped up in their own self made religion, their own selfish ideals of what they considered right and wrong, and they weren’t interested in even listening to Jesus, even though the very Old Testament which they ascribed to foretold of His coming! And many people today when they are told the truth of what it costs to follow Jesus, aren’t interested either, they have their own version of what Christianity is, and they aren’t interested in hearing the truth.
When Jesus said “For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” (Matthew 7:14), He knew exactly what He was talking about. People don’t want a faith in God that requires everything, they are too attached to the world around them and their own selfish desires and dreams. I wonder how often Jesus looks at the lives of countless thousands and says, “How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!”
It should be the other way around – when Jesus has everything to offer, we should be so interested in following Him that nothing ELSE matters!