Timing

The Pharisees went out and began to plot against Jesus, discussing how to destroy him. Jesus knew this and withdrew from the district.
Mt.12:14,15

Jesus knows he has a death warrant against him. He hides, not to avoid death but to ensure the right timing of it.

Jesus hides from the plotting Pharisees. The time has not yet arrived when he will march resolutely up and submit to them. Like everything he does, Jesus' timing is perfect. 

I'm reminded of Ecclesiastes 3:1-11,"There is a time for every purpose under heaven." The skill is determining the season correctly. I'm in a different space than I was a year ago, a month, a day. I'm faced with choices today. When to push forward, when to hold back. When to stand and when to withdraw. When to fight, when to let it pass. 

The only common denominator is love. In each season the imperative is to do the loving thing, even when it can look unloving at the time. 

This is where the Holy Spirit steps in. It takes the gifts of knowledge, wisdom and prophecy to correctly determine the season, to get the timing right.

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created. And you shall renew the face of the earth. Amen.