In Luke 13:31–35, we see one of the most tender and heartbreaking moments in Jesus’ ministry. When He laments over Jerusalem, saying, “How often I have longed to gather your children as a hen gathers her brood, but you were not willing,” we glimpse the deep humanity and compassion of Christ. He isn’t angry at those who reject Him—He’s heartbroken. His love is so great that He grieves even for the ones who will betray and crucify Him. This passage reminds us that God’s heart isn’t one of condemnation but of longing—longing for His children to come home. And if His heart breaks for those who turn away, how much more does it overflow with grace for those who keep trying to follow Him? Today, take comfort in this truth: Jesus’ love is patient, tender, and unrelenting. He longs to gather you close and remind you that you are deeply loved.

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Well, good morning! It’s good to be with you on this Tuesday morning as we continue together in our time in Luke.

Today, we’re going to be reading one of my favorite passages in all the Bible — and not because it’s a happy one. It’s actually a passage filled with sorrow. It’s not optimistic or joyful, but it’s deeply moving because it shows the sadness of Jesus. And honestly, that’s one of the reasons I love it.

You’ve heard me say this before in Rooted, but I’ll say it again: I think we often struggle to understand Jesus — not so much His divinity, but His humanity.

See, those of us living 2,000 years after the time of Christ have no problem believing that Jesus was fully God. That part makes sense to us. Of course Jesus could walk on water — He’s Jesus! Of course He could raise the dead — He’s Jesus! That fits. The part we struggle with is the humanity of Jesus.

Now, interestingly, the early church had the exact opposite problem. They didn’t question His humanity — they knew it. They walked with Him. They talked with Him. They ate with Him. What they struggled with was His divinity. That’s why you see so many of the early creeds wrestling with how to explain that Jesus is fully God — because they were trying to wrap their minds around that truth.

So for me, I really appreciate the parts of Scripture where we get a glimpse of Jesus’ humanity — where we see Him feel what we feel. It’s essential to our faith. The incarnation — God becoming flesh — is at the heart of what we believe. Jesus wasn’t just pretending to be human. He was human. Fully God, yes, but also fully man.

And because of that, the moments where His humanity shines through — they hit me deeply. Like when He wept at the tomb of Lazarus. That wasn’t some performance. That was real grief. Or when He prayed in the garden, “Lord, take this cup from me — yet not my will but yours.” Those moments show us the weight He carried, the struggle He endured.

And today’s passage is another one of those moments.

Let’s read Luke 13:31–35, from the NRSV:

At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, “Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.” He said to them, “Go and tell that fox for me, ‘Listen, I am casting out demons and performing cures today and tomorrow, and on the third day I finish my work. Yet today, tomorrow, and the next day I must be on my way, because it is impossible for a prophet to be killed outside of Jerusalem.’

Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! See, your house is left to you. And I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say, ‘Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.’”

I can always hear the ache in Jesus’ voice when I read that: “Jerusalem, Jerusalem… how I have longed to gather you under my wings, but you were not willing.” There’s such heartbreak in that.

Think about what He’s saying — He knows these same people are the ones who are going to reject Him. They’re going to curse Him, beat Him, mock Him, crucify Him. And still, He says, “How I long to gather you, to protect you, to save you.” That’s love. That’s compassion. That’s the heart of God.

It’s stunning, isn’t it? Jesus’ heart aches for the very ones who are going to hurt Him. He’s not angry here. He’s heartbroken. He’s grieving over the people who are rejecting His love.

And I think that’s such an important reminder for us — because sometimes we imagine God as just waiting to punish or condemn. But that’s not the heart of Jesus. The heart of Jesus breaks for those who are lost.

“Jerusalem, Jerusalem…” He says it twice — like a parent calling to a wandering child. His voice is full of sorrow and love at the same time.

And when I think about that, I can’t help but ask — how do we see lost people? Too often, we see them as opponents, or “the other side,” or people who just don’t get it. But Jesus doesn’t see them that way. His heart aches for them.

If that’s His heart, then it ought to be ours, too.

Now, let me bring this a little closer to home. Maybe you’ve had those moments when you feel like you just can’t get it right. You mess up, you fail, you fall short — and you start to wonder if God’s disappointed in you. Maybe you even wonder if He’s done with you.

But here’s the thing: if Jesus’ heart breaks for those who reject Him, how much more does His heart love those who are trying to follow Him?

If there’s even a spark in your heart that wants to follow Jesus, that’s not you — that’s the Holy Spirit working in you. That’s God Himself tugging you toward His grace.

Sure, you’re going to get it wrong sometimes. You’re human. Welcome to the club. We all are. But the fact that you wantto love Him, that you want to serve Him, that you want to walk with Him — that’s proof that He’s already at work in you.

And so, when we read this passage, we see two things at once: the heart of God for the lost, and the heart of God for us.

His heart aches for those who turn away, but His heart overflows with grace for those who keep coming back, even when we stumble.

So today, let this passage remind you who Jesus really is — not distant or angry, but tenderhearted and compassionate. He longs to gather us close, like a mother hen with her chicks. That’s His heart for the world, and that’s His heart for you.

Thanks for being with me today. Tomorrow, we’ll pick up with Luke chapter 14. Have a great day, and remember — you are loved more than you can imagine.