Early in Jesus’ ministry we read about how the Pharisees and scribes were tried to get Jesus arrested and killed. Jesus frequently criticised Pharisees for their hypocrisy but not all Pharisees were hostile. He was often invited to eat in the home of Pharisees. He healed a man in the home of a leader of the Pharisees on the Sabbath in the paragraph directly following our reading.

Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea who were Pharisees put their lives at risk and spent huge amounts of money burying the body of Jesus with some dignity after his crucifixion. Pharisees were at risk if they were seen to be supporting Jesus. Nicodemus had to come by night and it wasn’t until after he had been killed that he was able to publicly offer support.

The Pharisees warned Jesus of Herod Antipas’ plan to kill him so he could flee for his life. The warning may have been genuinely kind or a ploy to stop Jesus ministering in Galilee.

Jesus knew Herod Antipas was cruel. He came from a murderous family and had beheaded his cousin John the Baptist. Earlier in Luke’s gospel we discover that Herod was worried that Jesus might be John risen from the dead. He therefore had a reason for killing Jesus.

Despite the warning Jesus didn’t flee. He had work which needed completing. He said, “Go and tell that fox for me, I am casting out demons and performing cures today and tomorrow.”

Jesus’ response to the evil threat was to continue setting people free. The only response to evil is to overcome evil with good. We have seen much generosity and love shown to the Ukrainian refugees as they have crossed borders into neighbouring countries, Poland, Hungary, Romania and Moldova and in the generous giving of the free world.

Just as the Pharisees were divided by their attitude to Jesus so the Russians are divided in their response to what is happening in Ukraine. Most want to live peaceful lives. They are not all Empire building colonialists and supporters of President Putin.

More than 5,000 people were arrested in Russia while taking part in demonstrations against Moscow’s war against Ukraine in 69 cities across the country last Sunday alone, even though they are threatened with a fifteen year prison sentence

Dozens suffered beatings from truncheons or being shocked with stun guns after already being held down by officers.

Alexei Navalny, the brave opposition leader imprisoned in Russia said, “It was Putin who wanted to bomb peaceful cities, kill children and destroy lives. The Russians were not asked if they wanted war. In Russia, which we love and are proud of, millions of people are against this madness. And now their help is needed more than ever,” “You may be scared, but to succumb to this fear means to take the side of the fascists and murderers. Don’t give in to fear, take to the streets, let the whole world see that Putin is not Russia.”

Russians living among us need our compassion, not insults. The war is not their fault.

Jesus’ response to the death threat reminded me of President Zelensky’s response to the offer from America to evacuate him from Kyiv, saying “I need anti tank ammunition, not a ride.” He recognises he may well be killed but he has a job to do in defending Ukraine and telling the truth of what is happening.

Each of us has a job to do in bringing healing to others. As Christians we share in the ministry of Jesus. Through our prayers, love, generosity and outreach we proclaim that there is a higher power than that wielded by totalitarian states.

Jesus called Herod a fox. Jews used the word fox to describe the slyest and most destructive of animals. It symbolised a worthless, insignificant man.

Jesus recognised that Herod couldn’t be trusted. He compared him to a beast that scavenged, stole and devoured weaker animals.

However, despite his power and authority as ruler of Galilee, Herod had no power to stop Jesus working.

Jesus recognised his work would come to an end in Galilee and that like many prophets before him he would meet his death in Jerusalem.

Herod Antipas would play a part in that death but he would not be totally responsible for it. He did not condemn Jesus and had no power to pass the death sentence under Roman rule so he sent him back to Pontius Pilate for sentencing.

The suffering and death of Jesus was a vital part of his work in saving souls, curing the sick, and fighting evil

His words provide a contrast with those sly foxes, Herod and Putin. Instead of talking about glory, he talked about suffering and death. Instead of defining earthly glory as the product of wars, lies and slaughter, Jesus, the King of Kings gives his life that we might have eternal life. He shows us what holiness, truth and love look like.

Jesus knew his death would come in God’s timing, not Herod’s.

Jesus wept over Jerusalem as I believe he does over Russia, Ukraine and many other parts of the world. He recalled the times prophets had been stoned and killed there and compares his love for the city to that of a mother hen. He does not compare himself with a great warrior or soldier. He didn’t use a masculine image but a feminine one. We are given a picture of a hen protecting, nurturing and feeding her chicks under her wings, a picture of love, warmth and safety.

Jesus asks the question, “How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings and you were not willing?”

This longing reflects the loving, timeless heart of God. It suggests that Jesus has loved the people of Jerusalem for longer than his life span on earth.

His ministry and journey to Jerusalem would be his final plea to those who chose evil rather than love. He would not see them again until they said, “Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.”

Sadly that was to happen when he rode into Jerusalem in peace on a donkey which we celebrate on Palm Sunday. The welcome of the crowds who cried out to Jesus to save them as their King soon turned to cries of “Crucify him” when he did not take up weapons and fight.

Jesus’ death was his ultimate answer to evil. It was a continuation of his ministry on earth. Through dying he overcame sin and death and enabled us to become one with him. Just as Jesus’ body was transformed through the resurrection, so we will be transformed to become part of his Kingdom of love and peace?

Like Jesus we are called to overcome evil with good. We each have significant work to do as we share in Christ’s ministry of love, generosity nurture and protection.

We need not be afraid. Bombs and war will not destroy us because Jesus’ love wins.