Mother

Luke 13:31-35 (The Message)

Just then some Pharisees came up and said, "Run for your life! Herod's on the hunt. He's out to kill you!"

 Jesus said, 

"Tell that fox that I've no time for him right now. Today and tomorrow I'm busy clearing out the demons and healing the sick; the third day I'm wrapping things up.

Besides, it's not proper for a prophet to come to a bad end outside Jerusalem. 

   Jerusalem, Jerusalem, killer of prophets, 
      abuser of the messengers of God! 

   How often I've longed to gather your children, 
      gather your children like a hen, 

   Her brood safe under her wings— 
      but you refused and turned away! 

   And now it's too late: You won't see me again 
      until the day you say, 

      'Blessed is he 
      who comes in 
      the name of God.'"

We have lots of images of Jesus that help us understand him, and many of those images are nurturing.  As the Pastor of "Shepherd of the Hills," I can say that "Shepherd" is a favorite for most Christians.  

But look at the image that Jesus gives us of himself:  

Mother Hen.  

He knows that he will die in Jerusalem as the ultimate in a long line of misunderstood and rejected messengers from God.  

But he doesn't harbor anger and hatred for his city...it's love, instead.  

And this is an important image for us all to know and remember.  

The Mother Hen.  Jesus.  

He loves us, and longs to protect us under the shelter of his wing.  

He loved us first...even when we have been "Jerusalem," killing the very ones sent to save us.  It's one more image of who Jesus is, and what a gift it is.  

Prayer:  Father God, we give thanks for your perfect love, made known to us in the Mother Hen love of Christ.  May we allow ourselves to be gathered, redeemed and made perfect in your love.  

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.  As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be.  World without end.  Amen.