“Aware of this, Jesus withdrew from that place. A large crowd followed him, and he healed all who were ill. He warned them not to tell others about him. This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: ‘Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations. He will not quarrel or cry out; no one will hear his voice in the streets. A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out, till he has brought justice through to victory. In his name the nations will put their hope.’” Matthew 12:15-21
Dear Jesus, Your disciple, Matthew, helps us understand what you were doing by withdrawing from the synagogue where they wanted to kill you. Droves and Jews and Gentiles followed you as you healed their diseases and showed them your grace for sinners. You were staying on point to bring grace to troubled sinners instead of breaking them off or snuffing them out. You were rescuing more people while you were avoiding getting caught too soon in the murderous plots of your enemies. You were being the totally awesome Savior even in sticky situations. I know you are still that totally awesome Savior in my sticky situations today. Help me to focus on blessing others even while I deal with menacing, tenacious problems that won’t seem to let me go. I want to live on point for you all the time through thick and thin. Amen.
Don’t try to figure out if it’s a good time to proclaim Christ. It’s always a good time to proclaim Christ.