A Wanted Man

Everybody knew that Jesus would be arrested sooner or later. The Council had agreed that He should die, and although they did not know how to achieve their objective legally, the momentum of hatred against Jesus was unstoppable. Now the leaders involved the ordinary people: they had to report His location. So Jesus moved out of the village of Bethany, close to Jerusalem, to a little village two or three days journey north, on the edge of the Judean wilderness. It would not be easy for the temple guards to search for Him there. He was not hiding, He was not afraid of them, nor would He eventually resist arrest; but He was in charge of the timetable because He is the Lord.
 
Meanwhile, people were travelling from all over the country to Jerusalem for the Passover festival. Some of these really wanted to see Jesus, to hear Him and perhaps see a miracle. They expected Him to be in the temple. The Chief Priests and Pharisees wanted Him too ... but for very different reasons!
 
Today some people want Jesus out of their lives, and some want Him in. Wherever Jesus is known or talked about, He stirs people's opinions. Even those who care nothing about Him are expressing their opinion that they do not want Him. But Jesus is not yet another social or religious commodity; His power and authority does not depend on pleasing the crowd. He is not dependent on the people who want Him, nor is He frightened by anyone. He chooses His time and place for everything. So when He calls you, respond. When He sends you, go. When He promises, believe. When He commands, obey. And when He chooses to hide His face, it is always for a very good reason - so keep on being obedient and trust Him to reveal His answer at the right time.