Title: Jesus withdrawn to Galilee
Text/ Matthew 4:12-16, Mark 3:1-12, John 6:1-15
1. Introduction
Everything under the heavens has a season and a time to the fulfillment of every purpose: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to go out and a time to withdraw (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8). The life of Jesus shows that he was clearly conscious and conscious of when to go out and when to retreat. In particular, the following key verse clearly shows Jesus' deep wisdom and bold action.
(A) When Jesus heard John's arrest, he withdrew to Galilee (Matthew 4:12).
(B) The Pharisees went out and immediately discussed with the Herodians how they should kill Jesus. So Jesus and his disciples withdrew to the sea (Mark 3:6-7).
(C) After performing the powers of the five fish, Jesus, knowing that they were about to come and seize him and make him king, departed again to the mountain alone (John 6:15).
2. The context of the text
Matthew 4:12 hears that John the tax collector has been arrested, and Jesus retreats to Galilee. Because the situation is so urgent that King Herod, who usually respected John the Baptist, arrested John the Baptist, then it is clear that those who participated in John the Baptist's movement both positively and negatively would be arrested. Also, in Matthew 14:13, after hearing the news that John the Baptist had been killed, he got into a boat and went off to an empty place.
Mark 3:6-7 says that Jesus' healing on the Sabbath was a Sabbath violation. It is recorded that when the Pharisees and the Herodians tried to kill Jesus because he was an impure person who destroys the sacred religious system, Jesus fled to the sea to escape them.
John 6:15 tells us that after Jesus fed a crowd of 5,000 by the miracle of five fish, the crowd tried to make Jesus king by force. Because if Jesus becomes king here as they say, he will be immediately branded as a traitor and rebel and attacked by King Herod and the Roman governor. Therefore, it is recorded that Jesus withdrew to the mountain to escape it.
In addition to the text, in Luke 4:16 et seq. and in John 7:1-9, we can find records that Jesus withdrew or fled from people. Why did Jesus withdraw?
3. Why did Jesus retreat to the sea, to the mountains, or to the wilderness?
Because that wasn't the time. Jesus lived his entire life in a straight line. Jesus made it clear in Luke 4:16-21 what he was supposed to do on this earth. Jesus clearly knew that he came into this world to give his life as a ransom for many (Matthew 20:28, Mark 10:45, John 10:10). And more importantly, Jesus clearly knew when to lay down his life (John 10:17-18). Jesus has a holistic view of his life.
As proof of that, Jesus said, <Mother, my hour has not yet come. John 2:4, my hour has not yet come. John 7:6, for his hour has not yet come. John 7:30>. What does it mean? Jesus was always conscious of when he was going to lay down his life, and he lived waiting for that time (John 10:17-18). Because it was not yet the time to lay down his life, Jesus boldly withdrew.
4. What did Jesus do when he withdrew?
Jesus' theme was that God's will be done on earth!. It is the kingdom of God that will soon be established on this earth. Jesus worked hard for this mission. Sometimes it succeeds, sometimes it fails. Sometimes he stood in the middle of history, and sometimes he retreated to the sea, mountains, and empty fields.
What did Jesus do when he withdrew?. Instead of being frustrated, disappointed, or giving up, He began to pray again. He raised his disciples again. He healed the sick again, set the oppressed free, and preached the gospel.
5. What is the message of the retreating Jesus?
first. It means to look at your entire life and live holistically. When you have eyes that can see your life as a whole, your spiritual eyes to know the <time> will be opened.
second. When it is not <time>, retreat quickly and boldly like Jesus did. “A prudent person sees calamity and hides from it, but a fool goes on and is harmed.” Proverbs 22:3. In the 36th Commandment of China, the last tactic is that if you don't want to go beyond the 36th Commandment, you have to leave immediately.
third. The true value of a believer is revealed when we have reached a point of depression where we have no choice but to retreat. Be bold. Rather rejoice in the test. And look at your whole life and make your current coordinates clear. So, do what you are doing now. And then the <time> will surely come. do you believe Amen!.Water of the Word