Some scriptures that tug at my heart

There are certain verses in the bible, that I could have read many times. But then one time when I read it, it really hits me and I get it in a way I didn't before.

Here's some that have done that to me. I've bolded the parts that I find the most heart tugging.

When Jesus grieves over Jerusalem and over people not willing to accept him as the Messiah.

Luke 13:34
34 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones God’s messengers! How often I have wanted to gather your children together as a hen protects her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn’t let me. ..."


Jesus is asked by the doubters 'who does he think he is?'. Does he think he is greater than Abraham? He answers...

John 8:56-58
56"Your father Abraham rejoiced as he looked forward to my coming. He saw it and was glad.”

57 The people said, “You aren’t even fifty years old. How can you say you have seen Abraham?^[j]”
58 Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, before Abraham was even born, I Am!^[k]” 59 At that point they picked up stones to throw at him. But Jesus was hidden from them and left the Temple.


Jesus predicts Peter's denial of him

Luke 22: 31-34
31 “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat. 32 But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers.”
33 Peter said, “Lord, I am ready to go to prison with you, and even to die with you.”

34 But Jesus said, “Peter, let me tell you something. Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.”

Story continues....Still in Luke 22

54 So they arrested him(Jesus) and led him to the high priest’s home.
And Peter followed at a distance.

55 The guards lit a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat around it, and Peter joined them there.
56 A servant girl noticed him in the firelight and began staring at him. Finally she said, “This man was one of Jesus’ followers!”

57 But Peter denied it. “Woman,” he said, “I don’t even know him!”

58 After a while someone else looked at him and said, “You must be one of them!”

“No, man, I’m not!” Peter retorted.

59 About an hour later someone else insisted, “This must be one of them, because he is a Galilean, too.”

60 But Peter said, “Man, I don’t know what you are talking about.” And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed.

61 At that moment the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Suddenly, the Lord’s words flashed through Peter’s mind: “Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.” 62 And Peter left the courtyard, weeping bitterly.

The moment of Jesus looking at Peter, must have been so hard. But the good part is, that Peter was immediately sorry for it. He went on to be such a great leader.