P77

If you’re reading through the Bible annual reading plan, One Story Leading to Jesus, with Plano Bible Chapel and me, our Scripture reading today brought us to Matthew 23, one of the strongest chapters in the Gospels.

JESUS confronts the hypocrisy of the scribes and Pharisees with unmistakable words. But near the end of the chapter, His rebuke turns to grief:

“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, 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)

Those words have been read, copied, preached, and treasured by followers of JESUS for centuries. We can actually see evidence of that.

One of the earliest surviving manuscripts containing this passage is Papyrus 77 (P77). It is a small fragment of an ancient copy of Matthew containing portions of Matthew 23:30–39. Written in Greek and generally dated to the second or third century, it was discovered among the Oxyrhynchus papyri in Egypt and is now kept at Oxford. For those interested, you can view P77 and learn more through the Center for the Study of New Testament Manuscripts.

It’s just a fragment. But consider the words it preserves:

“Jerusalem, Jerusalem…”

“How often I wanted to gather your children together…”

“But you were not willing.”

And there is something sobering about when those words were copied.

When JESUS first spoke them, Jerusalem was still standing. The Temple still dominated the city. But JESUS warned, “See, your house is left to you desolate” (Matthew 23:38). Then, as He left the temple, He told His disciples that the day was coming when “not one stone will be left here on another that will not be thrown down” (Matthew 24:2).

Within days, JESUS would be crucified. He would rise from the dead and later ascend to heaven. His apostles would preach the Good News beginning in Jerusalem. Then, about forty years after JESUS spoke these words, Roman armies destroyed Jerusalem and the temple in AD 70.

By the time a Christian copied the words preserved on P77, Jerusalem’s fall was already history.

Imagine reading JESUS’ words then: “Jerusalem, Jerusalem…”

JESUS knew what was coming. And He grieved.

JESUS’ lament reveals His genuine desire to gather and protect Jerusalem’s people. The picture of a hen gathering her chicks under her wings echoes the Old Testament picture of finding refuge under the wings of God (Psalm 17 :8; 36:7; 91:4 ).

JESUS wasn’t coldly announcing Jerusalem’s judgment. He wanted them to come to Him.

“How often I wanted to… but you were not willing!” (vs. 37)

That makes His words deeply personal for us.

The religious leaders knew Scripture and appeared spiritual, but JESUS exposed the disconnect between what they taught and how they thought and lived (vv. 1–36). They focused on appearances while neglecting “the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy, and faithfulness” (vs. 23).

That warning is for us too.

It’s possible to know the right things, say the right things, and even serve the LORD while our hearts slowly drift from Him. JESUS cares about who we are when no one else is watching.

And when our hearts drift, where do we go?

When life feels uncertain or unsafe, where do we instinctively run for protection and comfort apart from JESUS?

Money? Control? Work? Success? Relationships? Food? Entertainment? Our routines and plans? Even ministry can become something we depend on rather than depending on JESUS Himself.

All the while, JESUS says, “How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings.”

He invites us to come close. To trust Him. To find our refuge in Him.

And the story doesn’t end with Jerusalem.

As JESUS turns His disciples toward the future in Matthew 24, He tells them that He will return, although no one knows the day or hour (vv. 36 –44). Our response isn’t to speculate about when, but to stay ready and faithfully follow Him until He comes.

The words preserved on that little piece of papyrus (P77) look both backward and forward. JESUS warned of Jerusalem’s coming judgment, and it came. JESUS also promised that He will come again.