“As a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you.” —Isaiah 66:13a
Of all the images from this summer’s Divine Imagination sermon series, I think my favorite has been Christ as Mothering Hen. There’s a tenderness in this image but also a ferocity. For moms are not just compassionate, kind, and steadfast; they are mighty in defense of their children. It is this kind of love that compels Jesus to fight for us like a fierce mother-bear: “I will fall upon them like a bear robbed of her cubs!” (Hosea 13:8).
Haley, Elijah, and I have just returned from ten days in Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada. It was among the most beautiful places we’ve ever been! Most days I would get up a little early and walk alongside the Bow River. One morning a female elk stepped onto the path in front of me just as I was about to pass. I stopped to give her space. Then she started walking toward me, ensuring that I took a few steps back. It was confusing behavior. Why does this elk care that I am walking by? Looking to the river, I suddenly understood. This elk was a mother, and her little one was coming across the river to join her. In fact, the calf came out of the water and immediately started to nurse. It was amazing, and I felt so privileged to witness this from only yards away! Having stepped back at the mother’s insistence, I wasn’t seen as a threat.
Then a jogger starting coming from the other direction. He hoped to skirt along the far side of the path and continue his jog. But this mother-elk wasn’t having any of it! She immediately started trotting directly toward the jogger, stamping her leg and finally chasing him down the path, back the way he came. The look on his face and the swiftness of his retreat was something to see! It’s never wise to get between a mother and her child.
The next day, we were hiking on a scenic overlook above the village of Banff when Elijah took a misstep and fell to the ground in pain. The cracking sound we heard told us exactly what had just happened: he had broken his leg. In an instant, I watched Haley become a mama-bear! She took off down the path and immediately brought over an Irish couple to help us carry Elijah down the mountain to the carpark. (This husband and wife were incredibly kind!) For the next several days, it’s been amazing to watch Haley advocate and fight for our injured son. This is what mothers do!
Like a mama-elk nursing her calf and a mother caring for her injured son, Christ fights for us with unrelenting passion. As much as we need his kindness and compassion, there are times we especially need to know the fierceness of his love. Jesus is never dispassionate when it comes to us. Beyond all he accomplished for us in his earthly life, death, and resurrection, still he advocates for us and rejoices over us and rages against anything that would threaten us. May you know the relentless love of Christ and know that he battles on your behalf. Take courage, my friends, and don’t lose heart.
Grace upon grace,
Pastor Scott
