Fox and Hen: Danger and Protection on the Way

2^nd  Sunday in Lent  +   February 28, 2010

 

Scripture

31 At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, “Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.’”³²He 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. ³³Yet 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’. ³⁴Jerusalem, 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! ³⁵See, 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

The text of this passage is taken from The New Revised Standard Version of the Bible © 1989 by The National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and used by permission.

 

Commentary

In this passage we find two components: a warning (31-33) and a lament (34-35). Together they convey a sense of impending danger and crisis, as Jesus speaks about his work and his destiny in Jerusalem.

The warning comes from some Pharisees, who warn Jesus that Herod is looking to kill him. Herod has already shown his willingness to get rid of those who speak against him in the case of John the Baptist, so the threat is very real. Jesus, however, takes a tone that shows no fear of Herod. In fact, he refers to Herod as “that fox,” an image that would be understood as an insult that suggests Herod is sly, cunning and destructive. Jesus’ message to Herod is that he must and will continue his work of healing for two days and complete it on the third day. He must continue on his way to Jerusalem, because he is following God’s purposes. Jerusalem, in the province of Judea, is beyond Herod’s jurisdiction as ruler of Galilee. Jesus travels from Galilee to Jerusalem as part of God’s plan, and Herod has no power to interfere with his journey toward the fate God has determined for him.

Jesus addresses his death when he says it is impossible for a prophet to be killed outside Jerusalem. Biblical texts do not show a pattern of prophets suffering death in Jerusalem, but this idea appears in Jewish tradition. Jesus identifies himself with the prophets and says he must continue his healing work and his journey until he reaches Jerusalem.

Jesus’ lament over Jerusalem begins in verse 34. He says Jerusalem does not welcome prophets, but rather kills them. This is less a statement of judgment and more a call to repentance. In the metaphor of the mother hen protecting her chicks under her wings Jesus communicates God’s intention to protect Jerusalem through him. This nurturing aspect of God has become visible and tangible in the person of Jesus, yet Jerusalem has not responded to the invitations to gather under God’s wings. The fox threatens and Jerusalem is in danger until it will accept the mother hen’s love that will save them from disaster.

For Reflection

1. What does Jesus’ response to the Pharisees’ warning reveal about his intentions?

2. What are some situations today in which a “fox” threatens the wellbeing of others?

3. What are some situations along your journey when a “fox” has threatened your own wellbeing? How did you respond?

4. When has God invited you to gather under God’s wings, and how have you responded?

5. What do you learn about God’s love from this passage?

 

 

Prayer

Give us the courage, O God, to hear your word and to read our living into it.  Give us the wisdom to recognize the fox that threatens us and to welcome the invitation to gather under your wings. Amen.