He invites us to take some time to withdraw from the places where he is persecuted. He invites us to follow him away from the Pharisees the plot his death. We need to spend time in places where his priorities are the highest.
He invites us to come away with him so that we can experience his power in our lives. He doesn't need to waste time contending with the Pharisees just now. He doesn't need to restructure Egypt into some sort of Utopia just yet. For now, he is content to call us away with him. The crowds that followed him experienced that "he cured them all". And he wants to cure all of us of the disease of sin today.
This is a gentle invitation. He is not here to change the world with force of power right now. He does not intend to break even the bruised reed or quench even the smoldering wick. But my goodness if Egypt sends its troops after us it won't go well for them.
for his mercy endures forever;
And led Israel through its midst,
for his mercy endures forever;
But swept Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea,
for his mercy endures forever.
Jesus does not permit anything to prevent us from coming to him and knowing his healing power. When our sinful habits try to pull us back the waters of our baptisms have the power to wash them away.
So let us run from places of sin and slavery into the wide spaces of freedom to which Jesus invites us. Let us waste no time preparing for this journey for we can trust him to sustain us. Our way may lead us through the desert but it won't matter. God will be with us. He can turn deserts into pools of water and dry land into springs (cf. Isa. 41:18).
His mercy truly endures forever! The Spirit of the LORD is upon him. The victory of justice can come through him alone. The nations try to secure this victory by means of power. But Jesus brings it about by his gentle invitation.
And in his name the Gentiles will hope.
Let us hope in his name!
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