Now is the Time

When I was overlooking the city of Jerusalem, I could not help but to reflect on that time when Jesus must have beheld a similar view and said in Luke 13:34, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not!” In this chapter, Jesus was going to Jerusalem wanting to gather the people to him. He had sent the prophets and they had no impact on the people. In verse 23, a question was posed to Jesus about the number of people who would accept him as Savior and he answered in verses 24-30 that you can enter as long as the opportunity exists. There would be few because people preferred their own ways instead of God’s ways. When Jesus said in verse 24 “I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able,” that was not because he did not offer the gift of salvation; it was because they had rejected salvation and now it was too late. In verse 25, we read that “once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door” there is no longer an opportunity to come inside. The sobering reality is that once the door is closed, there is no other opportunity to come inside. The harsh reality is that those who rejected Jesus and are left outside will forever be able to see and know those that chose God.

Today, there are those that have been sent to preach, teach, and share the Gospel with the world and the message of Christ is no more accepted today than it was when Jesus looked over Jerusalem. Professing to know Jesus invites ridicule, judgement, and condemnation because a child of God will not conform to the ways of the world. False preachers stand in pulpits all across America perverting the word of God to gain an audience. God’s word is still true today just as it was when he spoke it. Today, Jesus sits at the right hand of God wanting to gather all to him. I must admit that at times, it keeps me up at night wondering what to do to share the Gospel and get people here in Charleston to hear. I see in my mind Jesus thinking “how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not.” Enjoy your coffee.
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Love you all,
Pastor Gary