I am a Jesus pusher!!! Jesus received the news that John the Baptist was in prison. The projection was that he would be beheaded. Jesus immediately moved from Judea to Galilee to start a new ministry. In Galilee, He went down to His hometown Nazareth. But due to the negative reception there, He moved His home to Capernaum. One could project a lot of reasons why this took place. Was Jesus responding out of fear? Was He protecting Himself from hard times? Matthew is very bold in telling us the purpose of these decisions. He writes, “that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet,” (Matthew 4:14). This is not an isolated statement. In the first four chapters of this Gospel, Matthew makes seven distinct references to prophecy. It is his pattern to stop in the midst of relating a story and refer to prophecy. Matthew is highlighting the purpose or plan God is accomplishing in this moment.
These events are not random or coincidence. From the Christmas story to John the Baptist to the Galilean ministry, Jesus is the focus of the plan. God is in charge and nothing will thwart the plan; Jesus is the plan. Things may look dark for Mary and Joseph as they flee to Egypt; but they are included in the plan, Jesus! John the Baptist may be depressed in a dungeon cell; but he is in the midst of the plan, Jesus! Do not question it! You and I are in the plan. Don’t stray from the plan! This is why I am a Jesus pusher!!! He is the plan; He has included me. Don’t miss the plan.