Photo by Marc-Olivier Jodoin on Unsplash
Timing is everything, it’s been said. King Solomon said there is a time for everything (Eccl 3:1-8) and his words were popularized in folk and rock songs. Timing was also an important concern for Jesus, as indicated in this story.
Jesus began His public ministry after He heard of John the Baptizer’s death (Matt 4:13). Earlier in the gospel account of John, when the mother of Jesus tells Him there is no more wine He says, “Why did you come to me? My time has not yet come.”
Jesus had an agenda of major importance—the redemption of humanity out of the shackles of sin into restored fellowship with God. But timing was important. Jesus knew His purpose for coming to earth required a specific time to take place.
In the beginning of His ministry, Jesus was so popular and had such great favor with people He could hardly go anywhere unnoticed. But as Jesus spoke out in condemnation of the hypocrisy of the Jewish leaders, opposition towards Him began to grow and brought confusion among the people.
This is the setting for the dialog between Jesus and his brothers. They didn’t believe their (half) brother was the Jewish Messiah at this point. They tried to manipulate Jesus into making this known publicly in Jerusalem during the Feast of Tabernacles if this was true. But Jesus told them, “Now is not the right time.”
Scripture
Jesus later traveled throughout Galilee. He didn’t want to travel in Judea because Jews there wanted to kill him.
The time for the Jewish Festival of Booths was near. So Jesus’ brothers told him, “Leave this place, and go to Judea so that your disciples can see the things that you’re doing. No one does things secretly when he wants to be known publicly. If you do these things, you should let the world see you.” Even his brothers didn’t believe in him. [vss 1-5]
Jesus told them, “Now is not the right time for me to go. Any time is right for you. The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I say that what everyone does is evil. Go to the festival. I’m not going to this festival right now. Now is not the right time for me to go.”
After saying this, Jesus stayed in Galilee. But after his brothers had gone to the festival, Jesus went. He didn’t go publicly but secretly. [vss 6-10]
The Jews were looking for Jesus in the crowd at the festival. They kept asking, “Where is that man?” The crowds argued about Jesus. Some people said, “He’s a good man,” while others said, “No he isn’t. He deceives the people.” Yet, no one would talk openly about him because they were afraid of the Jews. [vss 11-13]
(John 7:1-13 GW)
Key phrase—
Jesus told them, “Now is not the right time for me to go. Any time is right for you.”
Digging Deeper...
Review the Scriptures above as you answer the following questions
Where was Jesus traveling and why was He staying away from Judea?
What did the brothers of Jesus want Him to do?
Why was Jesus unwilling to go to Jerusalem?
What does Jesus say about Himself, his brothers, and the world?
Reflection...
What is true is not always apparent or obvious to everyone. We all have blind spots because of personal bias and opinion, ignorance and inexperience, or pride. We can be so convinced of something in our hearts and minds, we become incapable or unwilling to see otherwise.
Emotions and limited perception contribute a lot to having blind spots. This was the situation between Jesus and His brothers. Jesus knew who His Father was but His brothers seem to be ignorant or unaccepting of this. I imagine jealousy was a factor also, as it was with Joseph’s brothers who sold him into slavery (Gen 37:18-28).
Jesus understood the current situation and time. He looked beyond the immediate to what lay ahead—His primary purpose for coming to earth as the Son of God. Jesus did go to Jerusalem for the Feast of Tabernacles but went by Himself and kept away from the crowds of people.
Though His brothers did not accept who He was, nor did they understand the political tension surrounding Jesus, Jesus knew. He understood the timing of His presence and purpose in Jerusalem at this point.
As the story reveals, public opinion about Jesus was divided and tense. Jesus understood the time He lived in at every moment. All followers of Jesus need to be just as discerning of the time we live in and aware of God’s purpose for our lives in all life situations.
Jesus knew His time had not yet come for His ultimate purpose on earth to be fulfilled.
Taking it to heart...
Read through the Scripture text again as you consider and answer these questions
What was the reason Jesus’ brothers had for why He should go to the Feast with them?
What were the people at the Feast asking and saying about Jesus?
Does it appear the brothers of Jesus were just as confused as others were about Jesus?
Why do you think public opinion was so confused about who Jesus was then, and is this also true in our day?
Personalize it...
Meditate On This— Jesus understood the time He lived in and was aware of all situations surrounding Him. As followers of Jesus, we need to discern the time we live in and be aware of God’s purpose for us in all life situations.
Prayer Focus— When you are uncertain about situations in your life and your purpose in them, ask the Lord for discernment and wisdom. Trust Him to guide you by His Spirit.
©2019—Word-Strong