The Nature of LoveSample

Mother Hen

The shadow of the hawk swiftly passed over the barnyard. It could have been a passing cloud or a plane casting that shadow. But the mother hen knew otherwise. She immediately clucked to her chicks and they scuttled over to her and dove under her warm, fluffy breast for safety.

The hen spread her wings out and hunkered over the chicks, some of whom were peeking out cautiously at the impending danger. Although the mother was in danger, too, she did not budge. She was willing to sacrifice herself on behalf of her baby chicks. The hawk circled back for another look and swooped over the yard. 

Spreading her wings out and down to the ground made the hen look bigger—and so an unlikely target for the predator. But her primary concern was for her chicks. And they knew where to run for safety. Under her wings they were safe from harm.

Psalm 91:4 (NIV) says, “He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.” Here we see God being described like a mother hen caring for her young. Under His wings, under the banner of His love, we find safety and refuge.

It would be ridiculous to try to convince the chicks that maybe the cows, which are bigger, would give them better protection. Or a fierce dog could scare off the hawk and provide refuge. The thing is, the chicks belong to the mother hen. And when someone belongs to you, you fight for them. 

The other animals don’t really care if the baby chicks get taken by the hawk. It wouldn’t bother the cow at all if a predator snatched them. The dog might be startled, but he wouldn’t put up much of a fight. But the momma hen sure cares. She is invested in their welfare. She is willing to sacrifice herself on their behalf, because that’s what love does. 

Jesus says He is invested in our welfare as well. And He compared Himself to a mother hen. In Luke 13:34 (niv) He says, “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing.”

Here we see Jesus longing to have us run to Him for safety and comfort. Not our phones, not our refrigerators, not our streaming entertainment, and not our friends. Comfort and safety are found under His sacrificial wings. That’s where love is found.