The Feast of Tabernacles in October ended with – they took up stones to throw at Him but Jesus hid Himself and went out of the temple, John 8:59. He likely retired into Perea – an area east of the Jordan River.
In December we find Jesus at another Feast in Jerusalem: John 10:22-26, Now it was the Feast of Dedication in Jerusalem, and it was winter. And Jesus walked in the temple, in Solomon’s porch. Then the Jews surrounded Him and said to Him, “How long do You keep us in doubt? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.” Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in My Father’s name, they bear witness of Me. But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you.
The Feast of Dedication today features the Menorah and is called Hanukkah based on the story found in Daniel 11:29-35.
Again Jesus slipped into seclusion to avoid being taken and killed before the appointed time at Passover – He was the true Lamb of God come to take away the sins of the world, John 1:29.
It was possibly January when he went to Bethany, just outside of Jerusalem, to raise His dear friend Lazarus from the dead, John 11.
After raising Lazarus, the Passover was but a few weeks away and we read: Now it happened as He went to Jerusalem that He passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee (Luke 17:11). Jesus, with His disciples and friends, made one more swing through the land of His birth and popular ministry before He started His final journey to Jerusalem. Again, we note that He was seen in the fringe or in the shadows (in Samaria), controlling the time of His death.
Luke 17:11-13, Now it happened as He went to Jerusalem that He passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. Then as He entered a certain village, there met Him ten men who were lepers, who stood afar off. And they lifted up their voices and said, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!”
Near the border of two regions (Samaria – a place despised due to “half-breeds” – and Galilee – despised for being too Roman, Isaiah 9:1) He encountered ten lepers crying out for help. You know the story – He told them to “Go” and show themselves to the priest and as they went they were healed. Much can be drawn from this story of Jesus’ mercy and blessing on those who could do absolutely nothing to fix their condition. One is that they were wise enough to call to Jesus and hearken to His Word, which brought about God’s healing. They do show us mankind’s condition in that death, decay, and destruction, while valiantly fought against, cannot be overcome. But a much greater point would be that only one, a Samaritan, returned to give Him thanks. Jesus pronounced a far greater blessing on the man than any earthly priest could ever do. Jesus declared him well thus saved.
People throughout history and throughout even our world today receive blessings from God daily such as rains, plants germinating, seasons, life, etc. And they receive HUGE blessings because of God’s people. For ten righteous ones Sodom and Gomorrah would have survived another day and because of the wheat (believers), the tares are not uprooted (Matthew 13:30). The nine showed how so many people are religious and works-oriented believing that by their deeds, God is pleased. However, saving faith sees the work of Jesus and bows before Him in thanksgiving. Are you saved?
a PK Musing 
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