"What is God like?" There probably isn't anyone here who hasn't struggled with that question. Theologians file it under "the nature of God" controversy. We all seek to know and understand this God that we worship and pray to and sing praises of. And we all know, at least in an academic sense, that our minds are incapable of comprehending God. Biblical images give us clues, however, about the nature of God. The image for today from our gospel text may unnerve some, and be a source of delight for others. But whatever, if we take it seriously, it will broaden, deepen, widen our understanding of who God is and how God works in our world.

One day, Luke tells us, the Pharisees came to see Jesus. "Get away from here," they warned, "for Herod wants to kill you." Now we are not told just what it w…