 Word Luke 13:31-35
At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to Jesus, "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 outside of 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.'"
Meditation “The Fox and the Chickens”
The fox and chickens are the subject of Greek fables, children’s stories and political commentary. The theme is timeless-the craftiness of the fox and the vulnerability of the chickens. Herod is the fox who wants to kill Jesus. Jesus is the mother hen who would gather her brood under her wings for safety. A mother hen would spread her wings and offer her breast to satisfy the hungry fox so that the chickens are safe. Here is the tragedy of the story- they were not willing. Jesus weeps in lament, “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.’” On what we call Palm Sunday, Jesus rode into Jerusalem to offer himself to the fox. Jerusalem sang, “Hosanna, blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.” They crucified him.
The world is a dangerous place. There are forces at work that would separate us from God and kill body and soul. Yet we still tend to run around on our own, going this way and that, vulnerable to being picked off one by one by the crafty, evil one. Jesus would gather us together, and just as a mother hen spreads her wings, he would spread his arms wide on the cross and offer himself to satisfy the hunger of the evil one. But we are not willing to be gathered. The simple fact is that on any given Sunday, the majority of the baptized are not gathered under the holy wings of Christ. We are out running around, doing our own thing, vulnerable to being deceived by lies and illusions, consumed by anger and fear. The evil one picks us off, one by one. The fox is after the chickens.
The good news is that Christ has died for us, that we are free from the power of death and the devil. But living in the promises of God is not easy. We are too easily distracted, too quickly tempted, too readily overwhelmed. The disciplines of faithful worship, diligent Bible study and persistent prayer are too often neglected, not to mention the hard stuff of forgiving somebody, showing kindness to a stranger or accepting someone who is different.
But today, you have been gathered. Today, you have been gathered by the Holy Spirit in the embrace of mother church, underneath the holy wings of Jesus Christ, who was crucified to satisfy the hunger of the evil one and risen to gather you and hold you forever. Today, you will sing once again, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.” This time, the song precedes not a death but a resurrection. When you see bread broken and wine poured out you will see Christ present for you; and you will be safe in his promises of forgiveness, life and salvation. Because the fox is still after the chickens, our prayer, our song, as we gather at the Lord’s table is “Thy holy wings, O savior, spread gently over me.”
Prayer
God of the covenant, in the mystery of the cross you promise everlasting life to the world. Gather all people into your arms, and shelter us with your mercy, that we may rejoice in the life we share with your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen
NEXT WEEK IN WORSHIP
March 7, 2010: The Third Sunday in Lent
Isaiah 55:1-9 Psalm 63 1 Corinthians 10:1-13 Luke 13:1-9
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