Pure Glory

by Gladys Stonestreet

The mother hen gives me a picture of the prayer shawl or tallit, which originally meant “cloak” or “gown” with tassels on its four corners, to remind us of God’s commandments. Jesus said in Luke 13:34(b), “How often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not!” When a hawk is circling above the chicks, the mother hen holds her wings out and her chicks gather under them.  The mother hen will puff up so that all the chicks can get under her.  I see her saying, “the hawk will have to get me first before he can take my chicks.”  The hawk cannot carry both the hen and the chicks at the same time.  The hen is willing to give up her life to save the lives of her chicks. (See this video to explain the idea:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kg4FXWsdDEI )

I see Jesus, our Savior, spreading his prayer shawl over us.  The prayer shawl with its tassels is also called the wings.  These wings cover you and me that we might have life.  He was willing to take death so we might receive life.

I relate this to Boaz putting his prayer shawl over Ruth, on the threshing floor.  He becomes the near kinsmen and brings restoration.  The Jews understood those things but they did not perceive it.  Jesus wants to show himself to people today.

The Lord is our prayer shawl, our redeemer, our near kinsman, our restorer, our lover and our mother hen.