The seven 'woes' of this chapter were not pleasant. But Jesus did not gloat over the Pharisees. We know that because at the end of exposing their hypocrisy and warning them of judgement, He released a flood of compassion for them so that His disciples hear. He wanted the trainee apostles to understand His deep love for the rebellious and hypocritical people who had systematically refused to submit to God. He knew they hated Him, but He still loved them. As leaders of the church, the disciples would have the same problem and needed Christ-like compassion.
 
God's people had received so much from Him, but they had no intention of listening to Him or changing their ways. Although they thought they were all-sufficient, they were really vulnerable. Without God's protection and providence they would have nothing and nobody to keep them safe. They were like little chicks. Jesus had longed for them to run to Him and be safe; but they refused. They thought that they were safe and Jesus was at their mercy. How wrong. It was the other way around.
 
They could not see the future which Jesus already knew. In less than 40 years the city of Jerusalem and its temple would become rubble: its people would flee for their lives or be killed. They had chosen to take their hands out of God's hand and so disaster would be inevitable. Yet one day, when Jesus returns, everybody will admit that Jesus really is the Lord, but for many it will be too late (Revelation 1:7; Philippians 2:8-11).
 
It is very dangerous to ignore God's love or to disconnect from His compassion or to assume that His protection is merely a fail-safe insurance policy. The loving compassion of God is directed towards all He has made (Psalm 145:9) but the benefits of belonging to God's true family do not come to all. They are only received when Jesus Christ is welcomed (John 1:12). That is why 2 Corinthians 5:11 says, “Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade others.” Friends and colleagues need to know that God's love demands a response. To ignore His loving compassion is not only an insult to Him but eternally dangerous for them. God's love does not change, it burns brightly for sinners: our task is to tell them that He is waiting, and urge them to respond.