Musick-al Note # 171
How often we deplore the attitude of the Jews in Jerusalem when we read the statement of Jesus in Matthew 23:37, “Oh Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you that kill the prophets and stone them which are sent to you, how often I would have gathered your children together, even as a hen gathers her chickens under her wing, and you would not!” The Son of God came to His own people and they did not receive Him! (John 1:11). They would not have Him as their king, they would not have His way and they refused his pleadings. He offered salvation and they rejected Him. He offered peace and they refused to hear Him. He brought God’s blessings and they turned away. “How sad.” we say, “How tragic!” we exclaim, and do not know we follow their steps by our indifference and apathy.
Today many seem to consider worship periods of little significance and come only when they desire, or not more than one hour per week. Does our actions declare that Christianity is only a cloak of righteousness to wear on Sunday at the church building? How many feel that worship is a period of entertainment and being catered to by preachers and teachers who often speak as performing comedians? We must become members with commitment, dedication, with ultimate devotion to Christ. We must in loving devotion and obedience to Jesus commit ourselves to Him who gave his life to ransom us from eternal death. We must not be among those who half-heartedly follow Christ, who attend from a sense of its being a duty to be endured. How can we become involved in the work of Christ and our joy to be in helping others become like Christ by following His word? When will we be followers and strive to bring others into close fellowship in Christ? When we are willing to meet rebuff, rebuke, rejection and even hatred when our efforts only seem to drive friends and family farther away! When we are willing to endure coldness, indifference and neglect that follows. Now think of Jesus when he said, “How often I would have gathered you together, and you would not!” We can commit ourselves to follow Him in love and devotion and even rejoice in those moments of rejection (Acts 5:41).
Gordon Musick
Musick-al Notes 