I can see the growing hostility. More scribes from Jerusalem are coming. They prepare ahead of time. Their questions are meant to entrap me. Right now, I am still in friendly Galilee, where the crowds always take my part. They are my wall of defense. The scribes can come only so far and then they must retreat. However, when I go to Jerusalem, it will be quite different. They will control the crowds and their opposition can grow much sharper.

The Pharisees are different. They oppose me for religious reasons, believing that I set aside too many rules which they so cherish. They are blind guides but their hostility is not as deep or as sharp or a dangerous as that of the scribes.

Everything is in the Father’s hands. He will lead me. I must trust him. The work must be accomplished. The people are sheep without a shepherd and the kingdom is so close at hand.