Jesus as a rooster or hen?
Do you remember when Jesus was described as a nurturing hen, rather than a puffed-up rooster? Why do you suppose that is?
I love this metaphor. It warms my heart. God’s character has thankfully been tinted by a “maternal” brush stroke.
This Sunday we honour our mothers and grandmothers. Their influence on children and families is critical. The impact of mothers on the worldview of children should never be understated. It’s massive.
Mothers are willing to do just about anything to protect and save their children.
I remember reading of a mother who was attacked and killed by a cougar while seeking to save her children. Nothing was going to stop her from protecting them.
We acknowledge that Scripture refers to our God in the male gender. However, the Scriptures also occasionally share allusions to God’s maternal-nurturing side of His character.
One of the best-known Scriptures concerning this is Matthew 23:37 (NIV), in which Jesus laments:
“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing.”
We just celebrated Easter several weeks ago. This lament occurred as Jesus descended the Mount of Olives on His way to Jerusalem. It’s a week prior to His death. And He realizes that people who have heard His message of grace, mercy, and salvation will reject Him. Like the prophets of old, the masses will not respond.
But note that Jesus’ response to their rejection is not the crowing of a strutting rooster, but the cooing of a nurturing mother hen who wants to protect them from the destruction they bring upon themselves.
That was 2,000 years ago. Times have not changed. People still choose unbelief. Jesus’ response hasn’t changed. He still wants to protect as a mother rescues her children from a predator. Jesus wants to protect them from their own rebellion.
Their response is the same as throwing themselves into the mouth of the cougar. Jesus wants to rescue them from the jaws of death. The Lord offers life. Abundant life.
Just like any mother, Jesus is willing to give up His life for the life of His children. He wants to save His precious kids. Thank you, Jesus!
Make sure to send a message of love to moms and grandmothers this week. However, thank the Lord for His love as well.