The family sits in front of us at church most Sundays. Mom. Dad. Four kids. One girl and three boys. They’re all stairstep in age. The girl first followed by the boys. The girl is probably a couple of years older than the oldest boy, but it’s obvious he’s going to be taller than her. He’s pretty much her height already. It will be interesting to watch them grow up. They’re a nice looking family.

They usually arrive just a little late, so they have to scramble to find a seat that will fit all six of them. The kids are well behaved. The youngest seems to be the most unruly of all. His curly hair is also longer and more unkempt than the other two boys. They have short cuts, and his is a mullet. I wonder why he’s allowed to have such an extreme haircut for such a young kid when his brothers aren’t.

Each Sunday, it’s the same story. Once they walk into the sanctuary, the kids are scrambling to see who gets to sit by Mom. They all want to sit by her. The girl usually never gets that coveted position, because the boys are younger and make a bigger fuss out of the ordeal. The oldest boy who’s probably ten loves to sit by his mom. The youngest boy somehow never gets the spot without pushing his way into it. He’s good at displacing a sibling who claimed the spot first. I’ve seen this happen on multiple occasions. Who knows. Perhaps they have to call dibs on the drive to church, or they have an assigned seat each Sunday. It doesn’t matter. The youngest one always, always finds a way to sit nearest his mom whether it’s his turn or not.

It’s obvious this is a close, loving family. The mother looks at her kids very lovingly, but she’s quick to discipline when the boys get out of hand. She’s constantly making them stand when the congregation is standing. The youngest likes to slough off and sit. But no. He must stand like everyone else.

I’m sure this mother would do anything to protect her children. She wants the best for them. Oh. I’m sure there will come a day when the kids are older that they won’t try so hard to sit close to her. They’ll want their space. They’ll want to sit with their friends. They won’t want to be seen anywhere near their mom. It’s too embarrassing. But deep down, they’ll know that they can run to her at the first hint of trouble. She is theirs and they are hers.

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“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones God’s messengers! How often I have wanted to gather your children together as a hen protects her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn’t let me. And now, look, your house is abandoned and desolate. For I tell you this, you will never see me again until you say, ‘Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord! ” Matthew 23:37-39

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Oh. The mother of these four kids knows that her brood will face all types of temptations and trials as they grow and mature. And when they reach adulthood and have their own families and careers, they’ll be bombarded on all sides by things they cannot yet imagine. She knows that now is her opportunity to mold and shape them. To train them to turn to God with all their troubles. She knows some of what lies ahead for them, but she doesn’t know the future. I’ve seen the way she looks at her kids when they aren’t looking. It’s a look of love and tenderness. She wants God’s best for her children.

When Jesus is lamenting in Matthew 23 about wanting to gather the Jewish people under his wings, he knows they won’t allow it. They’ve run from him and ignored his teachings for far too long. And what they don’t know that he knows is that in a generation’s time, their city will be destroyed. The Romans will come in once again to rule. All because of their disobedience to God. It doesn’t have to be that way, but they ignore his warnings. Jesus was trying to save them from a calamity that was totally avoidable, but they refused to listen.

His feelings for his favored people are so strong, yet he doesn’t demand they listen or repent. He allows them to choose their own path. Just as Jesus allows the Jewish people to choose, so does the mother of these four kids. She can teach them and train them and pray for them. She can warn them and steer them toward a life of fulfillment in Christ, but ultimately the decision is theirs to make. They can choose to follow Jesus or not.

I wonder if these kids ever refuse to listen to their mom. If they haven’t done so yet, I bet there will come a point that they do. We all tend to be a bit stubborn and rebellious when we want our way and the authority in our life disagrees. We tend to develop selective hearing and choose to walk our own path. If not careful, we’ll find ourselves in a heap of trouble. I hope this doesn’t happen to these kids, but now while they’re impressionable and moldable, I hope and pray they choose to live a life for Christ.

The same goes for us today. Jesus also wants to protect us if we will let him. When we’re hurting and don’t know where to turn, he’s waiting with arms wide open. He will gather us and protect us under his wings. We’re the ones who’ve turned away. He never rejects us. He knows our needs and concerns and is ready and willing to help and comfort us. Don’t turn away from God. Reach out to him in times of need. He’s the answer to life’s problems.

Under His wings I am safely abiding;
  Though the night deepens and tempests are wild,
Still I can trust Him, I know He will keep me;
  He has redeemed me, and I am His child.

Under His wings, under His wings,
  Who from His love can sever?
Under His wings my soul shall abide,
    Safely abide forever.

Under His wings—what a refuge in sorrow!
  How the heart yearningly turns to His rest!
Often when earth has no balm for my healing,
  There I find comfort, and there I am blest.

Under His wings—oh, what precious enjoyment!
  There will I hide till life’s trials are o’er;
Sheltered, protected, no evil can harm me;
  Resting in Jesus I’m safe evermore.

~William Cushing & Ira Sankey