Another Picture

Again, going to the well of the Bible exposition of Pastor Calvin . . . very sweet to me this morning. A grave and great reminder of the love with which we have been loved and called.

“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 would not!"

We now perceive the reason why Christ, speaking in the person of God, compares himself to "a hen." It is to inflict deeper disgrace on the wicked nation that had treated with disdain his gentle invitation. This invitation proceeds from more than maternal kindness. It is an amazing and unparalleled example of love that God does not disdain to stoop to those persuasions by which he might tame rebels into subjection.

Prophets were sent to "gather together" wandering and dispersed people into the bosom of God. By this means he means that whenever the Word of God is exhibited to us, God opens his bosom to us with maternal kindness. Not satisfied with this, he condescends to the humble affection of a hen watching over her chickens. When he compares himself to a mother, he descends very far below his glory; how much more, then, when he takes the form of a hen and deigns to treat us as his chickens?

Besides, if this charge was justly brought against the people who lived under the law, it is far more applicable to us. For though the complaints that we find in Isaiah are just in saying that in vain God spread out his hands every day to embrace a hard-hearted and rebellious people (Isaiah 65:2), that though he rose up early (Jeremiah 7:13), he gained nothing by his incessant care of them; yet now, with far greater familiarity and kindness, he invites us to himself by his Son. Therefore, whenever he exhibits to us the doctrine of the gospel, dreadful vengeance awaits us if we do not quietly hid ourselves under his wings, by which he is ready to receive and shelter us. At the same time, Christ teaches us that all enjoy safety and rest who by the obedience of faith are "gathered together" to God; because under his wings they have an impregnable fortress. ( Un refuge quine peut faillir, et contre lequel il n’y a point de puissance qui ait lieu — “a refuge which cannot fail, and against which no power can succeed.”) from Pastor Calvin's Commentary on Matthew, Mark, Luke, Volume 3.

(as abstracted by Joel Beeke in DayOne's 365 days with Calvin . . .)