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REFLECTION

Permission to withdraw is the theme for our reflection. Permission means the action of officially allowing someone to do a particular thing. To withdraw means to leave or cause to leave a place or situation. Jesus’ encounter with the Pharisees teaches us that we are permitted to withdraw from a place or situation if God’s mission or plan is being resisted and our lives are in danger. “Going on from that place, he went into their synagogue, and a man with a shrivelled hand was there. Looking for a reason to bring charges against Jesus, they asked him, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?” He said to them, “If any of you has a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will you not take hold of it and lift it out? How much more valuable is a person than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.” Then he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” So he stretched it out and it was completely restored, just as sound as the other. But the Pharisees went out and plotted how they might kill Jesus. God’s Chosen Servant Aware of this, Jesus withdrew from that place. A large crowd followed him, and he healed all who were ill.” (Matthew 12:9-15).

Dear friend, we preach a Gospel of peace and demonstrate God’s power at places and environments where we are accepted. It is for this reason Jesus tells us that “If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet. Truly I tell you, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town. (Matthew 10:14-15) We must be discerning and sensitive to the environment we operate as missionaries or evangelists. There are times people are so opposed to our Gospel message and the power of God at work in us that they will do anything to hurt us or even eliminate us from the surface of the earth. Jesus grants us permission to withdraw from such a life-threatening situation while continuing to serve the Lord in a more receptive environment. “You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another “(Matthew 10:22-23). Beloved in the Lord, Jesus has already offered Himself as the ultimate sacrifice for the salvation of humanity, unless you have no means of escape, it will be unwise not to withdraw from an environment when your life is in danger as a servant of the Lord. Through your escape or withdrawal, the Lord may be sending you to other people or another environment where your ministry or presence will lead to the salvation of many. It is possible to even withdraw from a church or fellowship when you realised that the majority of people in the Church are opposed to the true teachings of Christ. In my experience as a pastor, I have realised that the church may have to transfer a minister or pastor from a particular congregation under certain circumstances. One of these circumstances is when a pastor’s life may be in danger because of his or her preaching or teaching against certain immoral practices that directly or indirectly affect some people who erroneously think they own or established the church. Such persons may be wealthy, powerful and influential according to society’s standards and feel they must be allowed to have their way. They are usually supported by their sycophants. The pastor becomes an enemy and victim of conspiracy when he or she confronts the evil deeds of some so-called powerful people in the church or society. In some instances, Some missionaries have been attacked because they have spoken about inhuman cultural practices in the locality where they preached the Gospel. Let us not be deceived, the church of Christ can be the very place a person’s life may be under threat or may be harmed. After Jesus had told the Pharisees the truth in the Synagogue “the Pharisees went out and plotted how they might kill Jesus. Aware of this, Jesus withdrew from that place. Matthew 12:14-15. When you feel unwanted and unsafe in an environment, you are permitted to withdraw from it, the Lord requires your services elsewhere. Again, when you feel unsafe in a relationship that may end your life, you are permitted to withdraw. It is sad people regardless of all the warning signs stay in such abusive and retrogressive relationships until their precious lives are destroyed. When Jesus withdrew from the synagogue where His life was in danger Matthew tells us that “A large crowd followed him, and he healed all who were ill. (Matthew 12:15). Jesus gives us a great promise and assurance if we remain faithful to the end and do not allow the persecution to cause us to give up, “These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars—I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you. Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth. (Revelation 3:7-10) Shalom

PRAYER

Holy Spirit, help us to be discerning and know when we are permitted to withdraw when we are no longer needed and our lives are in danger. Amen.