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The Hen Protects Her Chicks – An Unusual Symbol of God’s Love – Lectio Divina

February 24, 2013 By Jean Wise

At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, “Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.”

He 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. Yet today, tomorrow, and the next day I must be on my way, because it is impossible for a prophet to be killed outside of Jerusalem.’

Jerusalem, 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!

See, 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

How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings.

You a chicken, Lord?

This is one Biblical symbol at first I had trouble grasping.

Then I watched a hen protect her chicks – to her death.

She stretched out her wings, chest unprotected, giving her all to block harm towards her loved ones.

You did too, Lord.

You stretched out Your arms on the cross.

You took the pain so we didn’t have to.

You stood between death and us.

You fought for us like a hen protects her chicks.

I live in the shadow of Your wings, Lord.

I live forever because You came to earth, our measly barnyard, to defend us.

I live as Your chick, Your child.

You live as my Savior.

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Filed Under: lectio divina

Comments

  1. blankJean Wise says

    February 25, 2013 at 9:27 pm

    Thank you for stopping by today and leaving a comment Elizabeth. Blessings to you too

  2. blankJean Wise says

    February 25, 2013 at 9:26 pm

    When my pastor used the hen as a symbol for Christ a few years ago, I just couldn’t get it out of my mind. Yet when I learned how much a hen will protect her chicks even to the point of death, I was overwhelmed by His love. Thanks for commenting, Laura.

  3. blankJean Wise says

    February 25, 2013 at 9:25 pm

    Thanks Courtney.

  4. blankJean Wise says

    February 25, 2013 at 9:24 pm

    Yes we forget we are the chicks,don’t we? thanks for stopping by today Lisa

  5. blankJean Wise says

    February 25, 2013 at 9:24 pm

    I certainly agree. We don’t or can’t fully grasp the magnitude of God’s love for us. Amazing isn’t it?

  6. blankElizabeth Hernandez says

    February 25, 2013 at 7:49 pm

    Love the way you helped paint the already beautiful description the Lord had painted you helped enhanced and made it more clear thank you.
    Blessings

  7. blankLaura Boggess says

    February 25, 2013 at 6:22 pm

    Isn’t this an amazing picture, Jean? Sometimes, I just imagine the wings covering me…such rest that thought gives. How He provides and protects. Lovely thoughts, my friend.

  8. blankCourtney Buxton says

    February 25, 2013 at 4:31 pm

    This goes to the maternal and paternal instinct, doesn’t it? And we are the chicks in this one, not the hens. Great post.

  9. blankLisa notes... says

    February 25, 2013 at 2:02 pm

    “I live as Your chick, Your
    child. You live as my Savior.”

    Thanks for this perspective, Jean. Sometimes I forget I’m to live as the chick, not another chicken….

  10. blankHugmomma says

    February 25, 2013 at 1:54 pm

    Lovely spring imagery. If only we understood how He really loves us. Nice post.

  11. blankJean Wise says

    February 24, 2013 at 8:36 pm

    My former pastor preached on this image awhile ago and it always remained with me as a powerful image of Christ. Before that if you would have told me to imagine Him like a chicken I would have thought you were crazy but this verse brings that symbol alive, doesn’t it?

  12. blankJean Wise says

    February 24, 2013 at 8:35 pm

    Hi Mia, glad you stopped by today. Our Pappa certainly does loves us. I have always found this image of HIm powerful. Blessings on your week ahead.

  13. blankcolwrite says

    February 24, 2013 at 7:21 pm

    I had not pictured that before. Really a wonderful symbol of God’s love. Thank you!

  14. blankMia says

    February 24, 2013 at 3:01 pm

    Hi dearest Jean
    This has always been a picture of the most tender, protective love. Just the way our Pappa loves us. Your correlation between the wings stretched out and our Lord’s arms on the cross is incredibly strong!
    Much love
    Mia

Healthy Spirituality – a sacred space to nurture your faith, grow closer to God, and belong to a community, walking together on life’s journey. This blog is written by author, speaker and retreat leader Jean Wise

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