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At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, ‘Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.’ He said to them, ‘Go and tell that fox for me, “Listen, I am casting out demons and performing cures today and tomorrow, and on the third day I finish my work. Yet today, tomorrow, and the next day I must be on my way, because it is impossible for a prophet to be killed away from Jerusalem.” Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! See, your house is left to you. And I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say, “Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.” ’ (Luke 13: 31-35)
May the blessings of the Lord Jesus be with you and yours today, dear Friend! I trust your Lenten Journey is progressing and that spiritual things taken up are still with you to make you stronger! A Lenten Journey for some is like that point in the story of the Prodigal when the "son came to himself." That point where he realized he had done it all wrong and now he stood in need of returning home to his father; "I am no longer worthy to be your son..." Remember how the father greeted him! God stands ready in the same way for you and me!
This past year probably during this very week, Dr. Jack Beck explained the wild beasts of the Holy Land. The most fierce was the Siberian bear. It would roam in the wilderness and make its way, well, being a bear, pretty much wherever it wanted! There was the mountain lion, who also could pretty much have its way with livestock. And the least of these, was the fox; almost an afterthought of predators. So, for Jesus to call Herod a fox reduces his power and influence. It is interesting that Jesus also says that He loves Jerusalem and like a mother hen wanted so much to "gather her brood under her wings," an act of protection even against a fox.
Jesus' concern was for the people of Jerusalem not the ruling person. The Pharisees didn't so much want to protect Jesus as to run Him off, but He responds with a checklist of things He was busy doing for the Kingdom of God; "I am casting out demons and performing cures today and tomorrow, and on the third day I finish my work." Then He turns His attention towards the holy city; such a pearl of a city, even today; but when David and Solomon reigned, it was the city of the world. A military stronghold, an economic center, an educational center, and a religious center, even today claimed by the world's three greatest religions. Yet, Jesus knows it to be the city that kills prophets and stones those who are sent to it. His love was so great He compares Himself to that mother hen that takes her children under her wings as protection. And in this lament, Jesus hints of that which is to come to Him.
Dear one, there have come and may still come, those difficult times when we need wings under which to hide. As baby chicks of the Lord's, we know there is no better place than under our mother hen's wings. And this runs parallel to the other descriptions we have read during the past few weeks; angels to protect us, God as a refuge and shelter, a hiding place, a mighty fortress, etc. Run to Jesus, hide in Jesus, find strength for the journey in Jesus.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, remind us where to hide when worried or scared. But, push us out when it's time to serve! Thank You for being our hiding place, but also the place where we get strength and energy for the journey. Bless us to bless You and Yours is our prayer; in Christ Jesus we pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Be a blessed baby chick today; may your song be one of joy!
Eradio Valverde
