JESUS AVOIDING THREATS AGAINST HIS LIFE. ( Click here for more details ),

Devotional study 22. John’s gospel. Personal efforts of Jesus to avoid threats against His life.

John  4:1 When therefore the LORD knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John,  4:2 (Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,)  4:3 He left Judaea, and departed again into Galilee.

Beloved Brethren the Bible says things written in the Bible are for your learning.

Romans  15:4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

1 Corinthians  10:11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

In addition everything our Lord did were to be example for you in particular to follow after.

John  13:15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.

1 Peter  2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

During the earthly ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ, He made personal efforts to save Himself from avoidable harms of satan through his human agents.

He  left Judea where there was controversy that could led to His been hurt.

John  4:1 When therefore the LORD knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John,  4:2 (Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,)  4:3 He left Judaea, and departed again into Galilee.

He made several efforts to avoid been stoned or harmed.

John  8:59 Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.

John  10:39 Therefore they sought again to take him: but he escaped out of their hand,  10:40 And went away again beyond Jordan into the place where John at first baptized; and there he abode.

John  11:53 Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death.  11:54 Jesus therefore walked no more openly among the Jews; but went thence unto a country near to the wilderness, into a city called Ephraim, and there continued with his disciples.

Luke  4:28 And all they in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath,  4:29 And rose up, and thrust him out of the city, and led him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong.  4:30 But he passing through the midst of them went his way,

Like Jesus you too should make efforts to avoid going to places where you can be hurt or deliberately avoiding people that can hurt you.

Proverbs 22:3 A

 prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.

Proverbs 27:12 A

 prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished.

Peter also did same.

Acts  12:6 And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison.  12:7 And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.  12:8 And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me.  12:9 And he went out, and followed him; and wist not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision.  12:10 When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him.  12:11 And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the LORD hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews.  12:12 And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying.  12:13 And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda.  12:14 And when she knew Peter’s voice, she opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in, and told how Peter stood before the gate.  12:15 And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is his angel.  12:16 But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished.  12:17 But he, beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace, declared unto them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, Go shew these things unto James, and to the brethren. And he departed, and went into another place.  12:18 Now as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers, what was become of Peter.  12:19 And when Herod had sought for him, and found him not, he examined the keepers, and commanded that they should be put to death. And he went down from Judaea to Caesarea, and there abode.

Paul and Barnabas did same.

Acts  14:4 But the multitude of the city was divided: and part held with the Jews, and part with the apostles.  14:5 And when there was an assault made both of the Gentiles, and also of the Jews with their rulers, to use them despitefully, and to stone them,  14:6 They were ware of it, and fled unto Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and unto the region that lieth round about:  14:7 And there they preached the gospel.

Make deliberate efforts to separate yourself from people that can hurt you here and even affect your eternal well being.

Mark  9:43 And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:  9:44 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.  9:45 And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:  9:46 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.  9:47 And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire:  9:48 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.

The good Lord had promised to preserve us.  He will surely do so in Jesus name.

Psalms  121:3 He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.  121:4 Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.  121:5 The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand.  121:6 The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.  121:7 The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.  121:8 The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.

Matthew  28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Even you shall be preserved from evils here and hereafter in Jesus name.

Let us pray 

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