John 7:1 After these things, Jesus was walking in Galilee, for He was unwilling to walk in Judea because the Jews were seeking to kill Him.
What an interesting way to describe what Jesus was doing. He was walking in Galilee and not Judea. He wasn’t sitting or working in Galilee; He was walking. The idea was that Jesus conducted His daily affairs in Galilee. Galilee was His home region, so He continued His ministry there. We’re told He did so because He was unwilling to go to Judea because He ...
John 7:1 After these things, Jesus was walking in Galilee, for He was unwilling to walk in Judea because the Jews were seeking to kill Him.
What an interesting way to describe what Jesus was doing. He was walking in Galilee and not Judea. He wasn’t sitting or working in Galilee; He was walking. The idea was that Jesus conducted His daily affairs in Galilee. Galilee was His home region, so He continued His ministry there. We’re told He did so because He was unwilling to go to Judea because He knew His life was in danger there. The Jews were out to get Him.
This was a fairly normal and reasonable decision. Don’t go where you’re not wanted. We know later on that Jesus did go to Jerusalem to observe the feast in spite of the dangers. But today I want to encourage you to stay in the flow of where God is working. Jesus taught this to His disciples on the occasion of their being unwanted in a village. He told them “Any place that does not receive you or listen to you, as you go out from there, shake the dust off the soles of your feet for a testimony against them” (Mark 6:11). So as we are “walking” in this world wherever the Lord has us, let’s be in tune with what God is doing and work with Him where there is receptivity.
My guess is that most of us are not concerned about being killed by anyone that we may minister to. We are living for the glory of God, so we want to live and love where the Spirit guides us. We may trust that our Father will guide our steps and direct us to those He wants to love. I’m aware that every person who crosses my path is part of a divine plan. There are no random meetings. I’ve seen the Lord deeply touch people just by my telling them that our meeting isn’t random. I’ll share about praying for them that morning and then ask how I can specifically pray for them, and usually there’s a reason for the encounter that makes it clear the Lord has put us together. May the Holy Spirit give us discernment and sensitivity to Him and to those around us today.
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