"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! (Matthew 23:37)

“Our Father in heaven…” (Matthew 6:9)

From these two passages of scripture we get two different images of God. The first is a worried mother. Jesus speaks as a prophet for God, and uses the image of a mother hen, who longed to care tenderly for Israel and protect her.

The second is from the Lord’s Prayer, the image of Father. Henry French reminds us of the patriarchal context of Jesus’ world, where a father image for God would probably by the only image that people would take seriously. But Jesus also boldly uses the image of a mother who longs to gather her children together to keep them safe.

Both images are in the bible. Both images of God are “correct,” images that we can use when we think of or pray to God.

Once, about 10 years ago, while preparing a sermon on the Holy Spirit, I decided to use the word “she” every time I mentioned God or the Holy Spirit. I was trying to stretch my own and my internship congregation’s imaginations when it came to thinking about God. In the end, I didn’t use the feminine language because I thought it would be too shocking for people.

I’m now ready to talk about God as a mother, or as a sister. French writes that some people, because of events in their lives, have a hard time thinking of God as a loving father. “If calling God “mother” opens a wounded soul to the experience of divine love, then why not? After all, God is neither male nor female, but completely transcends gender distinctions. The words father and mother both make the point Jesus was making when he taught his followers to pray “Our Father.” We are dependent upon God as a child to a parent.” (p 25)

Our image of God is our own. God doesn’t care how we think of her, or of him. Our relationship with God depends on a connection with God that not only holds us accountable to a loving parent, but also makes us feel valued, safe and protected.

What is your image of God?

Prayer for today

Gracious and loving God, help us to trust the depth of your love for us, as a mother or a father loves their child. Help us to know you as a loving parent, guiding us and holding us in your hand. Thank you for your unconditional and steadfast love. Amen.