After this Jesus traveled throughout Galilee. He didn’t want to travel in Judea, because the Jewish authorities wanted to kill him. 2 When it was almost time for the Jewish Festival of Booths, 3 Jesus’ brothers said to him, “Leave Galilee. Go to Judea so that your disciples can see the amazing works that you do. 4 Those who want to be known publicly don’t do things secretly. Since you can do these things, show yourself to the world.” 5 His brothers said this because even they didn’t believe in him. 6 Jesus replied, “For you, anytime is fine. But my time hasn’t come yet. 7 The world can’t hate you. It hates me, though, because I testify that its works are evil. 8 You go up to the festival. I’m not going to this one because my time hasn’t yet come.” 9 Having said this, he stayed in Galilee. (John 7:1-9, CEB)
Several times in John Jesus says, “my time has not yet come.” He says it here. He said it when his mother asks him to fix the wine issue at a wedding. But what does he mean, “my time hasn’t come yet?”
The disciples wanted to go to the festival and let everyone see and know what Jesus is doing. But Jesus knew that the authorities in Judea wouldn’t accept him, as they were already working to get rid of him. And Jesus knew the things he was doing would push the authorities even further away. Plus it is interesting that this passage says the disciples wanted him to go and show the world because they didn’t believe in him. As if a bigger spectacle or show would make them believe. As if Jesus doing miracles in Judea would make the world believe.
Sometimes we need to do what we know is the right thing to do even when the rest of the crowd wants to do something different. We need to follow God and know when God’s timing is in place. We are not the ones who know the full plan. God does, we need to trust God and follow the plan.
So live in God’s time.
Love People. Love God.
aSacredRebel 