A couple of months ago, I hung a grapevine wreath on our carport. The placement was right next to our kitchen door, so coming and going, it was very visible. One day, I noticed a bird and started to build a nest. I thought to myself, “Now this will be a mess, and I probably should do away with it”. Then I thought it might be interesting just to watch and see what happens. The nest sat empty for a few days. Then, I peered in to discover one baby blue egg. It was a Robin, and I knew that others would soon follow. As we went about our daily routine, another egg and then another appeared. The mama bird finally nestled down on the eggs. We didn’t want to disturb her, so we would use a different door.

About two weeks went by under the mother’s diligent care. I was excited when I noticed the eggs had hatched. Three tiny little naked birds with closed eyes had arrived. The mother was always around, providing warmth and much-needed food. I would often see her pulling up a worm or digging a bug out of the grass. The babies began to gain feathers and open their eyes in just the first few days. They also quickly doubled in size. The feathers developed fast, and the babies seemed anxious to leave the nest. One morning, I went out early to check on “”Winkin’, Blinkin’, and Nod” (A favorite Andy Griffith episode by the way). One of the three was on the edge of the nest, ready for flight. He took off, and throughout the day, the others followed. God brought those precious creations to our doorstep, reminding me of His goodness and faithfulness. There are several times in Scripture where birds are mentioned.

In the last week of Jesus’ life on earth, He was troubled by Israel’s history of rejecting God’s prophets. Also, he mourned people’s lack of belief and unrepentant hearts. Matthew’s gospel records in Chapter 23, Jesus pronounces judgment on the Jewish religious leaders, Matthew 23:1–39 (NKJV). People were spiritually lost, and Jesus says, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!” Matthew 23:37 (NKJV).

Jesus’ heart desires to gather Jerusalem’s children, just like a hen gathers her chicks. We read the following in Isaiah: “Like birds flying about, so will the Lord of hosts defend Jerusalem. Defending, He will also deliver it; Passing over, He will preserve it.” Isaiah 31:5. (NKJV).

Jesus reminds us in the Sermon on the Mount of our Heavenly Father’s love and care. “Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Matthew 6:26 (NKJV).

Jeremy Dykes – CBC Ex. Board