Monday, January 4, 2010

"Jesus Departed"

"Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, he departed into Galilee." Matthew 4:12

You might have thought that Jesus would have gone to John's rescue when he was thrown into prison, after all, John was arrested for preaching His gospel. You might have thought that Jesus would have gone to John in the prison, seeing as how they were related. Or perhaps He would have gone to John because John baptized Him so they had spiritual ties. You might have thought that Jesus would have gone to John, if for no other reason, because He was a "preacher". But Jesus didn't go to John, instead He departed into another city.

You know, we often feel like Jesus doesn't care and that He has abandoned us in our time of need. We come up with reason after reason as to why He should come to our rescue but, seemingly, to no avail. Why does He feel further away from us, instead of closer, when we are in trouble? Do you ever feel like that? Do you feel that if He really cared about you He would do something about your situation? Do you feel as though He has abandoned you?

If that's you, take heart this morning, He has not abandoned you, He has not left you, He has not forsaken you, He is well aware of you. Remember when John sent his disciples to Jesus needing a word from Him, Jesus gave them a word to take back to John- He had not left him.

Jesus' departure was part of a bigger plan that God had- even for John. "And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles; the people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up. From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." (Mt. 4:13-17) Often what we perceive as God's lack of concern for us, is actually Him working a greater plan out in our lives. The Israelites felt the same way when they stood between the Red Sea and Pharaoh's army, but God had not left them, He was "working" on a bigger miracle on their behalf.

So take heart, and remember, there is a bigger picture that God is working on that we don't often see, but we can trust that He has not "departed from us", He has not abandoned us and that He is working "all things" together for our good.

Have a great day. If it seems as though Jesus has departed, He has not--- He is working to bring about a greater plan in your life.

For further reading:
Romans 8:24
Luke 7:18-29

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