Let’s talk about chickens.
No, really. In Luke 13:31-35, Jesus compares himself to a hen. A hen. Not a warrior, not a CEO, not a viral influencer. A clucking, fluffed-up mother bird who shelters her chicks under her wings. It’s one of the most tender—and unexpected—images of God in the Bible.
Here’s the scene: Pharisees warn Jesus that Herod wants to kill him. Jesus doesn’t flinch. Instead, he basically says, “Tell that fox I’ve got work to do.” Then he pivots to grief: “Jerusalem, Jerusalem… How often I’ve longed to gather your people like a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you weren’t willing.”
This isn’t just a zinger about Herod. It’s an invitation. Jesus isn’t offering a productivity hack or a seven-step plan to outrun your enemies. He’s offering rest—the kind that comes when you stop scrambling, stop scheming, and let yourself be small, safe, and held.
Reflection for the Week:
- What’s your “Herod”? (The anxiety, deadline, or fear that keeps you restless?)
- Where do you need to stop running from and start nesting in?
Try This:
Grab a blanket or a jacket. Drape it over a chair to make a makeshift “nest.” Sit under it for 5 minutes. Breathe. Let the weight of the fabric remind you: You don’t have to outsmart the foxes. You just have to trust the wings.
A Prayer to Carry You:
“God, you see the Herods chasing us. Help us stop hustling for safety. Gather us into your rest, even when we’re too stubborn to admit we need it. Amen.”
Hymn Highlight:
Bottom Line:
We live in a world that rewards the foxes—the quick, the cunning, the relentless. But Jesus? He’s in the chicken business. His kingdom isn’t built on outrunning threats; it’s built on sinking into a love that says, “Come here. I’ve got you.”
This week, practice being a chick, not a CEO. Let your shoulders drop. Stop calculating escape routes. And let the God who calls himself a hen surprise you with how strong tender rest can be.
Copyright notice: Adapted by Travis Wilson from “All We Need: The Basics” © 2024 Barn Geese Worship. Used by permission.