March 29, 2016
WILLFUL VS. WILLING
Matthew 23:37–24:2
Joyce Vedrenne
Central Truth
To be willing to follow Jesus is about more than just words. It's about what we really believe, think about, and do . . . our walk!
Key Verse | Matthew 23:37
"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!" (Matthew 23:37)
Matthew 23:37–24:2
Lament over Jerusalem
37 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! 38 See, your house is left to you desolate. 39 For I tell you, you will not see me again, until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’”
Jesus Foretells Destruction of the Temple
1 Jesus left the temple and was going away, when his disciples came to point out to him the buildings of the temple. 2 But he answered them, “You see all these, do you not? Truly, I say to you, there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.”
Dive Deeper | Matthew 23:37–24:2
I heard a story long ago about a fire that swept through a farm. When the farmer came back to see if anything was left, he found a clump of burnt feathers and realized it was a hen. He turned it over and out ran three little chicks! This hen gathered her chicks under her wings to protect them from the fire at the expense of her own life.
This gives a vivid picture of what Jesus was saying about how He wanted to care for His people. And then there is this five-word phrase: “[A]nd you were not willing!”
WOW! Is that me? Is that us? The spiritual leaders (Jerusalem) certainly didn't think it was them! They wouldn't have killed the prophets or stoned those who were sent to them if they were alive at that time. But the Son of God is standing before them, and they didn't and/or wouldn't even recognize Him because of their tradition. There was a mindset of what Messiah would be like and do, and there was no room for anything different.
It's so easy to fall into the trap of tradition and custom being truth, when in reality TRUTH is a person—Jesus. That person is revealed in the Word and not in what Christians have been doing for years or even saying over and over. Don't get me wrong, traditions can be great . . . reading the Christmas story on Christmas Eve, memorizing Scripture as a family, or having a favorite meal on your birthday. Even though these things are good, they do not replace a personal, intimate relationship with our Lord that allows Him to direct and lead us.
Sometimes He may call us to a ministry that is way out of our comfort zone, and we must remember that He will be with us to guide and direct. Isn't that what we live for—to answer His call, to be His hands and feet? We must guard against being stubborn (willful) if things are not as they have always been, if things go against our traditions and customs, or if things are not the way we thought they had to be.
Discussion Questions
1. Are there areas of your life in which you are willful? If so, share this with your community/accountability group.
2. Have you ever said "no" to an opportunity to serve because it would be out of your comfort zone?
3. Do you ever find yourself putting Jesus "in a box," and it is difficult to accept anything different?
4. Do you ever pray,"Here I am, Lord, send me"?