In the Beginning: The Book of John

(John 7:1-9[HCSB])

1 After this, Jesus traveled in Galilee, since He did not want to travel in Judea because the Jews were trying to kill Him.

2 The Jewish Festival of Tabernacles was near, 3 so His brothers said to Him, “Leave here and go to Judea so Your disciples can see Your works that You are doing. 4 For no one does anything in secret while he’s seeking public recognition. If You do these things, show Yourself to the world.” 5 (For not even His brothers believed in Him.)

6 Jesus told them, “My time has not yet arrived, but your time is always at hand. 7 The world cannot hate you, but it does hate Me because I testify about it that its deeds are evil. 8 Go up to the festival yourselves. I’m not going up to the festival yet, because My time has not yet fully come.”

9 After He had said these things, He stayed in Galilee.

Timing is everything

It is evident that Jesus own family thought He was seeking a certain level of public fame and following. It is unlikely that they were unaware of His anointed position, or oblivious to His real nature, since they grew up together; yet, like the times when the crowds could not lay hands on Him and He passed right through their midst, He was biding His time, and hearts were only allowed to understand what was necessary for them at the time. This also may have been a protective move on God’s part to take the family out of harm’s way.

It is clear that Jesus was waiting for a very specific window of time to go to Jerusalem, knowing that what He would set in motion could not be reversed.

However, what He says about “our time” is worth spending some of our own lesson time on: “our time” to act, and to go to our designated places as missionaries, is now. We must not always assume that we are to wait on Jesus, but to respond to our individual calling [in the present] as it applies to each one based on specific gifting and purpose. Also, know that while Jesus may not have accompanied His brothers physically, He was always with them in Spirit as He is with us until the end of the age.

Our time is now, and Jesus’ time is soon enough. He will come to us again when the time is right, and the Father is glorified.

Note: When the term “the Jews” is used it is almost always a reference to Jewish authority, such as the Sanhedrin and the Temple Priests; it does not refer broadly to the nation of Israel.