O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you would not! Luke 13:34
Lord Jesus, of all the metaphors you used to help us understand your love and kindness, “mother hen” has to be the most shocking. And yet as we ponder this image, it profoundly endears you to our hearts. It makes us want to know and worship you all the more.
That you chose such a metaphor says a lot about the depths of your affection and the intensity of your engagement in our lives. It also reveals how fragile, vulnerable, and foolish we are as your “chicks”.
We are grateful for your ongoing commitment to gather us, Jesus, because we are “prone to wander, Lord, we feel it; prone to leave the God we love.” Keep running after us, Lord. When we drift naively or roam wantonly; when we run scared or are hide in our shame; when we’re in the far country of self-indulgence, or in the near ghetto of our self-righteousness… come and get us.
And like a mother hen, you gather us and place us under your wings, next to your heart. There’s no place in history or geography of the cosmos we’d rather be. You’re such a compassionate, kind, tender Savior. We are foolish to think otherwise, even for a nanosecond.
Though a nursing mother may even forget her suckling child (Isa. 49:15), you’ll never forget or forsake one of your “chicks.” Because the gospel is true and powerful, we live under the shelter of your wings. May the assurance of your love and protection, free us to pursue and love others as you love us, Jesus. Give us your mercy and compassion, for friends and strangers alike. So very Amen we pray, in your great and gracious name.
