Jesus, the Mother Hen

(Posted March 13, 2025)

A few years ago, I looked out at the bird feeders I have hanging in the forest behind our house. There was something I wasn’t expecting to see at the base: a chicken.

To be specific, it was a hen.

 Now, there is nothing in back of our home but forest for at least 300 feet. In the distance, across a couple of farmer’s stone walls and through the forest is a house, actually in the next town over. Since recently there had been clucking sounds coming from that general area, it became apparent that my distant neighbor, Buster, who had recently become interested in farm things, had added chickens to his property.

Lost and Found Chicken

Like a dutiful neighbor, I went out back and found the very tame hen, gently picked her up and put her in my car because, while I could see his place from mine, there was no way to get there. His house was actually a mile and a half away by car.

I drove there, rang Buster’s doorbell and handed him his chicken. He was vaguely grateful for the return – just as he seemed vague about the importance of protecting the animals in his charge from the predators in the woods out back. This wouldn’t be the only time I became a “chicken chauffeur” for him, because the hen liked our place better.

Animals Stories in the Bible

When we look at the whole Bible, there are many, many animals that are employed to tell the stories it presents. Horses and donkeys, yes, but also pigs, fish, and many birds, including ravens, and sparrows.

Identifying with the Chicken

But this Sunday’s Gospel is the only place that you’ll find a chicken. Specifically, a hen. What makes it especially interesting is that Jesus compares himself to this hen. You won’t find many men of his era identifying themselves as anything as female as this bird.

After all, for thousands of years in Judeo-Christian culture, women were tagged as inferior, due to “the sin of Eve.” But Jesus didn’t see it this way. He identified with the protective wings of the hen that, in spirit, with which he wished he could shield the people of Jerusalem. He sighed:

“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!” (Luke 13:34)

Women Who Do God’s Work

Sunday’s service will be especially interesting in this Women’s History Month. We see time and again how Jesus made room for women not only in the symbols of his stories, but in the roles of disciples, proclaimers and prophets.

Come listen to this “thin place” story—I’m egging you on!