Jesus Uses A Fox

Go tell that fox, I will drive out demons and heal people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach my goal. Luke 13: 32.

This is what Jesus has told some Pharisees to tell Herod. They have come to Jesus, warning Him to flee from Jerusalem, to leave and go somewhere else, because Herod wants to kill Him. Jesus hears and takes them seriously, for He knows that His life is in grave danger, by human standards. These Pharisees do care about Jesus’ life and they are made mortally fearful of the ways of Herod, their ruthless leader.

Jesus responds with four solemn, stubborn, and unshakable facts about His life. Jesus sends to tell the fox, a mind-blowing message. But why does Jesus call Herod a fox? Of all the animals and their behaviour, He chooses the fox. The first thing we think about the fox, is that he is known to be monstrously sly. When a person is sly, you are truly in danger with such a one. With such persons, before you know it, you are overtaken by their sly, cunning, clever, deceiving ploys, without even realizing it.

In the children’s story of Red Riding Hood, a perfect portrait is painted of the wolf, which shares some highly similar traits with the fox. In that children’s story, do you remember how the evil trickster of a wolf, tried to get Little Red Riding Hood to come to him? Like the wolf, the fox knows. But what does it know?

The fox knows exactly what he wants from you – he knows his mind.

The fox knows exactly how to get what he wants from you – he knows your mind.

The fox knows his flexibility, to change and be anything or anyone he wants to be – he knows your inflexibility, your naivety when it comes to his nature.

The fox knows your mission, for he has studied you, followed you and knows your heart’s desire – he knows that you do not know his true mission.

The fox will never come to you as a fox, because everyone and anyone who sees a fox, will keep his or her eyes open for its slyness. It is precisely because the wolf, which is as the fox, is sly, that he will dress up as your beloved granny, as you obey your mother, on a sent mission.

There is a deep correlation here with Jesus, His Father and the fox, Herod, who is waiting to kill him. But Jesus is aware and is not afraid, for this is what He knows.

These are the facts about Himself that He knows only too well.

The Place where He is, is perfect, for right in that place, He will do His work and finish it successfully.

The Time that He has is adequate, for He has today and tomorrow, to work.

The Mission proceeds uninterrupted, for Jesus successfully carries on the will of His Father, in the midst of the fox.

The goal will be reached, right there in that place, for not even the threats of Herod can stop the goal from being reached.