Jesus and the Pharisees, that alone should give us pause. Politics sometimes can make for strange bedfellows. This was a case in point.
The Pharisees did not like Herod, Herod did not like Jesus, so therefore…the enemy of my enemy must be a friend!
But, chickens and foxes…hmmm…hardly bedfellows.
I would put my money on the fox, (as I am sure,) so would – most of you!
But, if Jesus is the “Hen” – I wouldn’t be so quick to place my bet, a bet, any bet.
You know it isn’t often that animals are mentioned in the scriptures or in the gospels, in particular – so when they are, it peaks my interest and my attention.
It is curious that Jesus chooses “a hen.”
A hen is a relatively weak animal. A hen is not a fighter – like a rooster might be.
Hens are much more maternal, much more laid back. They are all about eating, nesting and their young.
Why didn’t Jesus lift up “the mighty eagle” of Exodus. A mighty bird of prey!
Or, what about the “stealthy leopard” that is referenced in the book of Hosea?
The “proud lion of Judah” was a well-known image – already engrained in the people’s minds. The roar of the lion… The power of the king of the beasts, mowing down his enemies with a roar…
But no, Jesus chooses “a hen.” And a mother hen, at that!
Mother hens do not inspire much in the way of confidence.
…Whereas we do know something about foxes… Fox can be very vicious. They can be tricky, crafty and treacherous. We talk about the slyness of a fox. Foxes can be ruthless and are actually quite clever.
There was a recent news story coming out of Great Britain about a fox who actually made it into someone’s house and pulled a little baby-from-its-crib-out-of-doors…before it was stopped.
Foxes are and can be tricky.
We know that Herod was a “big time” collaborator with Rome. Maybe a weasel or a rat would have been a better choice.
But for whatever reason – Jesus chose “the fox” and “the hen” to make reference to…
He actually has the gall to dismiss Herod, as nothing more than a mere ruthless varmint. That took guts, on his part!
Then, it occurred to me…Jesus refuses to be the king of the jungle in this or in any other story.
That doesn’t fit Jesus’ –m.o. (mode of operation) at all.
What he will be – is a mother hen, who stands between the chicks and those who mean to do them any harm…whatsoever.
That would be Jesus. Fighting for the under-dog. Fighting for the weak and the vulnerable. Fighting for those without a voice. Fighting for those – that no one else will. Fighting for those – who cannot defend themselves.
The mother hen has no fangs, no claws, no rippling muscles. All she has is her willingness to shield her babies—with her own body.
If the fox wants these little ones – he will have to go through and kill her first.
(Ah, there’s the Lenten tie-in, there’s the Lenten connection.)
Who else but Jesus is willing to lie down his life for the sheep or in the case, for the little chicks?
That is the amazing God who has laid his claim on each and every one of us.
This is all about our amazing God who was more than willing to lay down his life for us.
He came, that we might have life and have it abundantly.
He came that we might truly live an authentic life.
So Jesus tells the Pharisees, “You go and tell that old fox – that I have no time for him right now.” I have unfinished work to do.
Today and tomorrow I am busy…more busy than you will ever realize. But by the third day I will be wrapping all things up.
You cannot distract me from my work. There are places to go and things to do and people to help.
Right now, old Herod is not important…his day will come, but it is not today. Jesus has set his face like flint. Jesus will not be dissuaded.
He will not be diverted from his appointed path. He will not be tripped up, he will not stumble.
Who’s chicken?
Certainly not Jesus, he is man enough to play the role of a mother hen, if need be.