The Dangerous, Divine, and Distinct Ministry of Jesus Christ

Sometimes fear keeps us from doing what is good or right. But other times God uses our natural fear of danger to position us to accomplish His will. Even in the ministry of Christ we see the providential hand of God at work. Jesus’ distinct message of repentance exposed Him to great harm as hostility toward the gospel grew. In response to the growing threat, Jesus moved the base of His ministry from Nazareth to the Gentile land of Capernaum, setting Him up for a Divine appointment. The result was the fulfillment of Isaiah 9, and the glorifying of God through the preaching of the gospel to the Gentiles. We bear the same distinct message of repentance that Jesus preached, and therefore we can expect to meet the same dangers. But this should not be cause for alarm. As we yield our will to God’s providential leading, we can expect Him to direct us in the same way, so that we can faithfully accomplish all that He has for us to do.