Daily devotion – nothing can with hold the preaching of the Gospel!
“When He heard that John was delivered up, He withdrew into Galilee.” – Matthew 4:12
Many people get this passage of scripture very wrong. It reveals Jesus’ courage rather than His caution. There were times when Jesus knew it was His Father’s timing on certain matters, hours of danger, so that He moved out of the danger zone. But this is NOT one of them!
Here Jesus actually went into the danger zone. The word “withdrew” simply means that He went. Galilee was the tetrarchy of Herod, who then, our Lord went to continue the ministry of the man (John the Baptist) thus silenced, and to begin His own more public preaching.
As another Herod had sought the young Child to destroy Him that first Christmas in Bethlehem, so now this one, given over to evil courses, attempted to silence the troublesome voice which had denounced the sin of the court sternly as the sin of the crowd.
When Jesus heard it, He moved into the region of Herod’s influence, and took up the message that John had proclaimed as His predecessor. But Jesus gave it so much more publicity and far greater power.
As like today here in our own nation, evil may silence a voice, but it cannot prevent the proclamation of God’s Word. If John be imprisoned, Jesus takes up the message; and that means that it will be proclaimed with clarity, directness, and power, more arresting, disturbing, and prevailing.
You and I as Christian’s living in these Last Days in Australia, need have no trembling of heart even when it appears evil for the moment, has gained an advantage, and to have triumphed over truth.
It is Truth which is mighty, and God ever finds some new instrument through which it will proceed to yet greater victories.
Jesus is coming soon!