“You will not see me until the time comes.” Jesus, in Luke 13:31-35.
“Be a tail to lions rather than a head to foxes.” A saying from the Mishnah.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus has been journeying from Galilee towards Jerusalem, preaching, teaching, casting out demons and healing as he goes. Earlier in his Gospel, (12:1) Luke states that thousands of people came to hear him and, as his influence was increasing, so that of the Pharisees was beginning to diminish. When they came to him and warned Jesus that he must leave because Herod Antipas wanted to kill him, it may be that there were genuine concerns for his safety as some of the Pharisees were not dismissive of Jesus. However, Herod was tetrarch of Galilee and Perea and, as Jesus was moving away from Herod’s jurisdiction, there may have been no need for such a warning at all. Whatever the case, Jesus insists that he has work to do and that he must be on his way, calling Herod a fox in the process. That was not very diplomatic of him, but it pierced through the politicking that was going on because Jesus is making his way to Jerusalem – which was probably why the religious people of his day wanted him gone as so many people were following him.
As a tretrarch, Herod Antipas was one of four governors, each in charge of one quarter of the province. As such, the Pharisees tried to use his authority, which did not apply in Jerusalem, by mixing religion with political power to deal with Jesus. Jesus will have none of it, however, but mentions the prophets and those who have been killed and stoned in Jerusalem. He uses the image of a mother hen gathering her chicks protectively under her wings but recognises that this will not happen in Jerusalem and so he goes on his way, resolved to continue with his work and calling.
Hens are often taken by foxes for food, and in calling Herod Antipas a fox, it may seem that Jesus is conjuring up the wily image of a man of stealth and cunning. In the rabbinic tradition, however, great men are often called lions whilst the term ‘fox’ was used of a lesser man. A saying from the Mishnah, the record of rabbinic teaching, says, “Be a tail to lions rather than a head to foxes” and the fox is regarded as an unclean animal in Judaism. Herod was a puppet ruler, put into power by Caesar Augustus, and had unfortunately built Tiberius, a new capital city, on top of an old Jewish cemetery. This was unacceptable to Jews, as was his second marriage to a woman who was both his sister in law and his niece. Herod also had John the Baptist killed and allowed his daughter, Salome, to dance in public which was shocking for many. It led to him being considered unrighteous and unfit to rule. So, although the Pharisees may not have been honest with Jesus, they disliked Herod even more and Jesus slips away ‘until the time comes’ for him to enter Jerusalem.
Jerusalem is the city of peace but, now as then, is not at peace. In the midst of the warfare, bloodshed and tensions in the Middle East and elsewhere there are still many examples of rulers who misuse authority and may be considered to be controversial in their use of power or weak leaders like Herod Antipas. As Lent continues, that may apply to us, too – for what has the time not yet come and, when Jesus comes to enter the gate that is supposed to be a place of peace not only in the city but in our own hearts too, will we welcome him?
With my prayers; pob bendith,
Christine, Priest Guardian.