Jesus is a loving parent. He longs to gather our loved ones together under His wings and protect them but He will not go against free will.
How many times I yearned to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you were unwilling! ~Luke 13:34
What man among you having a hundred sheep and losing one of them would not leave the ninety-nine in the desert and go after the lost one until he finds it?Jesus, the Good Shepherd searches and calls out to our loved ones to return to Him. Let us join our voices with His in praise, prayer, and supplication.
And when he does find it, he sets it on his shoulders with great joy
and, upon his arrival home, he calls together his friends and neighbors and says to them, 'Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.'
I tell you, in just the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance.
~Luke 15:4-7
Jesus knew that following Him would sometimes bring division within families and among friends. He is with us. He died for us and for them. Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn
a man against his father,
a daughter against her mother,
a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law -
a man's enemies will be the members of his own household.
Matthew 10:34-36
