Lent 2C 2/28/10
"Refuge Under God's Wing"
We can all, I believe, relate to the feeling this story evokes--warmth and comfort that is found in a motherly hug. Nurturing touches that fold us in and make us feel safe and warm. For some of us this came from our mothers or grandmothers, and for others someone else special in our lives provided this feeling. Hopefully all of us can relate to this feeling from childhood. How nice it would be to curl up under Noah's wing and snuggle knowing we are safe and warm.
As we look at the Gospel passage for today, we find Jesus on his final approach to Jerusalem. This passage is probably not as familiar as many of Luke's stories, but it's interesting. It offers a behind-the-scenes look at a conversation Jesus is having with those close to him.[1] In this entire chapter he's talking about the Kingdom of God that he is working to bring about on earth. The parables that come before it help us to understand the Kingdom of God, with the final verse in the section prior being the familiar sign of the Kingdom: "Indeed, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last” (Luke 13:30). The Kingdom of God theme continues into this passage. We know he is headed to his death, and the time is drawing closer, so we hear this passage with the cross looming in the background. He's trying to make sure his followers understand the work God has for them to do once he is gone to bring about God's Kingdom on earth. He's getting his final details in order to be prepared for Holy Week.
Anytime Jesus talks about the Kingdom of God, we can assume that the leaders in power are unhappy about it. The first shall be last and the last shall be first does not make many friends with those in power. Herod is no exception. He is Herod Antipas, the son of Herod from the Nativity story, and he's Tetrarch of the Galilee region.[2] The Roman emperor did not allow kings to rule under them, but king was basically the function he held. He had heard rumors about Jesus and was not happy. Jesus got wind of this unhappiness, and made a comment to his followers. Jesus said, "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."(Luke 13:32) Calling Herod a fox was an insult, and we can be sure that Jesus chose this word carefully. This scene reminds me of video footage I've seen of the Lords in the British House yelling back and forth across the aisle hurling names and insults at one another with sly smirks on their faces. Foxes were seen as sly and cunning creatures who were destructive. They were dangerous, predatory, and evil.[3] Foxes were not helpful in creating the Kingdom of God that Jesus was enacting.
Then Jesus moves into a lament over Jerusalem and his followers--those who believe in His Father in heaven. He uses the image of a hen gathering her chicks under her wing. He says, "How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!" (Luke 13:34b) This lament drew my interest as I've thought about this passage. Why a hen? What does this mean? And what is the invitation here for us?
My experience with hens and chickens is limited. I'm a city-girl, and didn't grow up with chickens around me. My main experience with chickens came from my summers working at Old Salem in Winston-Salem.[4] Old Salem is the living history museum depicting Moravian life during the 1700 and 1800s. If you visited years ago, you may remember the chicken coop in the backyard of the Single Brothers House. I spent many summer days working in that yard in costume in their Historic Trades program during High School. We often had folks asking about the chickens that lived in the coop. My favorite question that came up was, "Are those real chickens?" I was amazed how many times we got asked that one, and I knew enough to answer correctly. Smells like a chicken--Sounds like a chicken--looks like a chicken--yep. Believe me, it was a learned skill to smile and simply answer "yes", while in my head I was thinking, "NO, silly, they're animatronics from Disney World."
With that as my only real experience, I have spent some time this week trying to understand real chickens--the kind you don't find at Disney World. Hens are caregivers. They nurture their chicks and teach them how to survive in their new world. Hens show their chicks how to find food and water, where to sleep, and what to do in case a fox threatens the chicken coop. While chicks are learning, they follow their mama around learning all they can. And when something threatens, or they want to feel safe and warm, under mom's wing is the best place to be!
Jesus was a master storyteller and chose images to use specifically. The hen and chicks image is a powerful one for discipleship. Hens are nurturing and meek. They will stand their ground in the face of danger, and do their best to protect their chicks, but in a hen versus a fox fight, we know who will win. After all, Good Friday looms ahead of us.
The Old Testament does provide images of being under a wing of protection, and Jesus draws form these images to describe God's nurturing love. From the Psalms:
Psalm 17:8 says, "Guard me as the apple of the eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings."
Psalm 36:7 says, "How precious is your steadfast love, O God! All people may take refuge in the shadow of your wings."
God demonstrates love for all by inviting us to gather under the wings for protection and safety. Refuge is found under God's wings. God nurtures all those who gather in the wing's shadow, and we are all invited. We can tell from Jesus' comment that some have not joined the party under God's wing. But everyone is invited, just as Psalm 36 reminded us.
On a farm in Georgia in 2007 an interesting thing happened.[5] One particular hen demonstrated God's welcoming embrace and nurturing spirit. There were three new mama hens on this farm. Two of the mama hens were tragically carried off and left all their young behind to fend for themselves. The remaining hen demonstrated Godly love. Though hens normally will not accept chicks from other mamas since their own are enough work to care for, she took on the chicks from the other hens despite having 16 chicks to care for on her own. She ended up with 42 chicks in total. As the farmer George Turner describes, "This led to amusing sights like her running over somewhere to scratch, followed by a streaming hoard of little feather balls. And then, when she stood still, when they were still small they would ALL try to get under her for protection. There of course was not enough room.... Some got the entrepreneurial spirit and climbed on her back!"[6]
God invites all of us to gather under the wing in safety, security, and love, and unlike the hen, there is room for all of us under there!
Besides soaking up God's love, spending time in the refuge of God's wing prepares us as well. It is often while we experience God's love that we are called to follow Jesus. This conversation in Luke took place on the road to Jerusalem--the road that led to the cross, death, and ultimately, resurrection--new, eternal life. We cannot forget the context. Under the refuge of God's wing is where we can learn how to be a follower of Jesus. But at some point the chicks grow up and must leave the coop for the journey ahead. The hen can only hope that the lessons about life have been learned. Jesus invites us under the wing, but Luke’s Gospel also tells us of Jesus’ invitation to follow Him. He says in Luke 9: "If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me." (Luke 9:23) This is ultimately how God's Kingdom is on earth as it is in heaven--when we follow Jesus' example and work to bring about God's Kingdom here. As one author points out, "Jesus intends to stand firm in the face of the fox, not in order to win the political or military fight (hens rarely, if ever win such fights), but to show that in the long run, "some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last".[7] This was why Herod was upset in the first place, and Herod believed he got the last word. At least he thought he did. Then Jesus finished his work on the third day. The tomb was empty and the last became first.
Like Jesus himself, Lent invites us to both rest in the refuge of God's wing, and take up our cross and follow the journey to Jerusalem. It's an invitation for everyone--each of us must decide. God's wing is an open invitation. Where do you find refuge and how do you answer the call to follow in the ways of God's Kingdom? The invitation is there. May we all join in together in saying in the end, "Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord” (Luke 13:35).
On a farm in Georgia in 2007 an interesting thing happened.[5] One particular hen demonstrated God's welcoming embrace and nurturing spirit. There were three new mama hens on this farm. Two of the mama hens were tragically carried off and left all their young behind to fend for themselves. The remaining hen demonstrated Godly love. Though hens normally will not accept chicks from other mamas since their own are enough work to care for, she took on the chicks from the other hens despite having 16 chicks to care for on her own. She ended up with 42 chicks in total. As the farmer George Turner describes, "This led to amusing sights like her running over somewhere to scratch, followed by a streaming hoard of little feather balls. And then, when she stood still, when they were still small they would ALL try to get under her for protection. There of course was not enough room.... Some got the entrepreneurial spirit and climbed on her back!"[6]
God invites all of us to gather under the wing in safety, security, and love, and unlike the hen, there is room for all of us under there!
Besides soaking up God's love, spending time in the refuge of God's wing prepares us as well. It is often while we experience God's love that we are called to follow Jesus. This conversation in Luke took place on the road to Jerusalem--the road that led to the cross, death, and ultimately, resurrection--new, eternal life. We cannot forget the context. Under the refuge of God's wing is where we can learn how to be a follower of Jesus. But at some point the chicks grow up and must leave the coop for the journey ahead. The hen can only hope that the lessons about life have been learned. Jesus invites us under the wing, but Luke’s Gospel also tells us of Jesus’ invitation to follow Him. He says in Luke 9: "If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me." (Luke 9:23) This is ultimately how God's Kingdom is on earth as it is in heaven--when we follow Jesus' example and work to bring about God's Kingdom here. As one author points out, "Jesus intends to stand firm in the face of the fox, not in order to win the political or military fight (hens rarely, if ever win such fights), but to show that in the long run, "some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last".[7] This was why Herod was upset in the first place, and Herod believed he got the last word. At least he thought he did. Then Jesus finished his work on the third day. The tomb was empty and the last became first.
Like Jesus himself, Lent invites us to both rest in the refuge of God's wing, and take up our cross and follow the journey to Jerusalem. It's an invitation for everyone--each of us must decide. God's wing is an open invitation. Where do you find refuge and how do you answer the call to follow in the ways of God's Kingdom? The invitation is there. May we all join in together in saying in the end, "Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord” (Luke 13:35).
Our next hymn this morning is “I am Jesus Little Lamb” found on page 723. This traditional Moravian Hymn is an alternative translation to the very popular hymn “Jesus Makes My Heart Rejoice.” As we sing this hymn this morning, I invite you to sing is as a prayer. Much like the image of being under God’s wing, The Scripture is full of lamb imagery to describe our relationship with God. May we all accept the invitation to be Jesus’ Little Lamb.
[1]William Barclay, The Gospel of Luke, Rev. Ed. The Daily Study Bible Series.
[2]Leslie J. Hoppe, "Exegetical Perspective" for "Second Sunday in Lent: Luke 13:31-35" in Feasting On The Word (Year C, Vol. 2) ed. by David Bartlett and Barbara Brown Taylor (Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2009) 69.
[3]R. Alan Culpepper, "Luke" in The New Interpreter's Bible, Vol. IX (Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press, 1995) 281, 282.
[4] www.oldsalem.org
[5]http://www.thwink.org/sustain/work/bios/GeorgeTurner.htm
[6] http://www.thwink.org/sustain/work/bios/GeorgeTurner.htm Emphasis is Turners.
[7]Jill Crainshaw, "Preaching the Lesson" for "Second Sunday in Lent" in Lectionary Homiletics (vol. XXI, No. 2, February-March 2010) 36. (Referencing Luke 13:30).
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