Mark 1:14, Matthew 4:12, Luke 3:19-20, Luke 4:14, John 4:1-4

14 Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God

Mark 1:14

12 Now when he heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew into Galilee

Matthew 4:12

19 But Herod the tetrarch, who had been reproved by him for Herodias, his brother’s wife, and for all the evil things that Herod had done, 20 added this to them all, that he locked up John in prison.

Luke 3:19-20

14 And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and a report about him went out through all the surrounding country.

Luke 4:14

1 Now when Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John 2 (although Jesus himself did not baptize, but only his disciples), 3 he left Judea and departed again for Galilee. 4 And he had to pass through Samaria.

John 4:1-4

It is getting interesting in our study of the gospels in parallel.  I find it facinating to see what each author includes or omits.  What we read today are some of the factors and circumstances of Jesus leaving Judea, the area where John the Baptist had been ministering.  

Both Matthew and Luke record that John had been arrested and Jesus departs.  One could assume Jesus leaves as a result of John’s arrest and I suspect this could have been a partial reason for the move.  However, in all the accounts of Christ we don’t see any form of pattern in His actions regarding avoiding confrontation.  Instead what we clearly see are intentional movements of Jesus.  His actions and resultant path are in no way pending upon circumstance.  Jesus moves with purpose and for reason.

As the season is changing and we are now able to enjoy more sunshine and potential outdoor activity what is changing in your heart and life.  Are you more optimistic, pessimistic, or indifferent?   I want to challenge us out of today’s text to see the intentionality of Christ.  In what ways might Christ be prompting you to move today?  I suspect for most a move will not be physical location as much as a change in perspective of heart and resultant action.  Perhaps there is someone God is prompting you to visit or check on this week?  Perhaps you need to move schedules such that more time is available to spend time with God in His Word.  How is God calling you to move this week? To follow Christ is to move intentionally.