John 7:1-9 - Lesson #73

Within about 24 hours Jesus had miraculously fed over 5000, walked on water, taught about eternal life and the bread from Heaven, and called many to the point of decision. Most heard His words and decided to "walk with Him no more" (John 6:66). But a select few joined with Peter and said; "You have the words of eternal life" (John 6:68). This had been an exciting day!

John 7:1-9
"After these things Jesus walked in Galilee; for He did not want to walk in Judea, because the Jews sought to kill Him. Now the Jews' Feast of Tabernacles was at hand. His brothers therefore said to Him, 'Depart from here and go into Judea, that Your disciples also may see the works that You are doing. For no one does anything in secret while he himself seeks to be known openly. If You do these things, show Yourself to the world.' For even His brothers did not believe in Him. Then Jesus said to them, 'My time has not yet come, but your time is always ready. The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me because I testify of it that its works are evil. You go up to this feast. I am not yet going up to this feast, for My time has not yet fully come.' When He had said these things to them, He remained in Galilee."

Chapter 6 records events near Passover, probably in April, and Chapter 7 begins with the Feast of Tabernacles which was six months later. We know from the other gospels that Jesus continued to minister in Galilee during these six months, but those events were not chosen for John's message; "these are written that you may believe Jesus is the Christ" (John 20:31).

Jesus' brothers did not believe His message, but they had certainly heard Him speak and presumably seen Him perform miracles which could attract a crowd. They thought the best way to accomplish His stated goal (whatever that might be) would be to perform His wonders on the biggest Jewish stage possible. During the Feast, Jerusalem would be filled with people from all over Israel and if they could witness Jesus performing miraculous works, even those who had previously walked away would be convinced.

Jesus declined the offer and remained in Galilee because; "My time has not yet come." With a clear understanding of God's plan Jesus knew it was not His time for a final confrontation. He would follow later and continue to teach, but opposition was growing and there were several things yet to be accomplished. But the time was always right for His brothers because their lives did not confront the world, they were friends with the value system characterized by darkness. They were accepted and loved by the world.

We all have a desire, even a need, to be accepted. The question is: Where do we go to fill this need? The world relentlessly pulls with the promise of an accepting love, and all it asks is that we compromise the truth and remain in darkness. But Jesus calls us to step by faith into the light of His forgiveness. The time is never right to continue on our path of destruction, but the time is NOW for stepping into His everlasting love.