The crowd had left Him. The Jewish leaders wanted to kill Him because He proclaimed Himself to be God. And now His own brothers did not believe Him. Jesus had left His throne in heaven to come to earth to suffer and to die; yet, the agony of rejection must have weighed upon his humanity. As we turn to Chapter 7 of John we are told “After this, Jesus walked [from place to place] in Galilee, for He would not walk in Judea because the Jews were seeking to kill Him”(AMP) Did He stay away from Judea for fear? Was He feeling dejected? No. He was at peace, knowing that His Father was in control. This is made evident with the opening discourse with His brothers in chapter 7. In fact, we see His brothers begin to chide Him when the feast of the tabernacles came. “2 Now the Jewish[a]Feast of Tabernacles (Booths) was approaching.3 So His [b]brothers said to Him, “Leave here and go to Judea, so that Your disciples [there] may also see the works that You do.4 No one does anything in secret when he wants to be known publicly. If You [must] do these things, show Yourself openly to the world and make Yourself known!” 5 For not even His brothers believed in Him” (John 7 AMP)
I have heard many scholars say that Jesus’ brothers wanted Him to go up as a miracle worker so they too could bask in the fame; but, as I read this again I see something quite different. I am reminded of Joseph’s story back in Genesis where he was so hated by his brothers and was sold into slavery. Remember that story? How Joseph saved his family later. How intricately God used every detail of the Old Testament saints lives to point a picture of Christ!! How in control of every detail of their lives and ours God really is. Hold onto that thought!!
A SINISTER PLOT OF HIS BROTHERS
Instead of wanting to bask in His fame, I do believe the brothers of Jesus wanted Him to go with them to Judea so they could expose Him once and for ever as a phony. Or perhaps to be rid of Him. Their chiding was filled with jealous anger. “I thought you wanted to be famous, brother? Why aren’t you out drawing the crowds? Didn’t they all leave you? After all, didn’t mom always treat you “special”? They knew that if Jesus went up to Judea with them the Jewish authorities who were looking for Him would immediately find Him. Then, would His miracles save Him? But Jesus knew their hearts. “6 So Jesus said to them, “My time has not yet come; but any time is right for you. 7 The world cannot hate you [since you are part of it], but it does hate Me because I denounce it and testify that its deeds are evil.8 Go up to the feast yourselves. I am not going up to this feast because My time has not yet fully come.” 9 Having said these things to them, He stayed behind in Galilee” (John 7 AMP)
A TEACHER ARRIVES IN SECRET
Jesus waits a few days and then goes to the feast, quietly slipping in. The Jewish leaders had been looking for Him, wanting to seize Him. They had been going around saying, “Where is He?” Yet, there He is and Jesus walks into the synagogue and starts teaching the truth of the scripture. Some marveled as to how could this uneducated man dressed so simply taught with such authority!! He did not wear the priestly robes, yet, He knew the scriptures all with such clarity. There were some who believed and there were those again who murmured. Once more, the Jewish leaders rise up to overtake Him; but no man laid a hand on Him. Why? His time had not yet come. God is in control and when God says it isn’t time; it isn’t time. They send out the guards, the soldiers to bring Him back. “44 And some of them would have taken him; but no man laid hands on him.45 Then came the officers to the chief priests and Pharisees; and they said unto them, Why have ye not brought him? 46 The officers answered, Never man spake like this man.
CONCLUSION:
God is in control of every detail of your life and mine. He has been in control since before the creation and He is in control now. He was in control when Joseph was sold into slavery. He was in total control as His son walked on this earth. He was in control when Jesus died that you and I might be saved. Even though the officers were sent to capture Jesus, it wasn’t time for Him to die; yet. Jesus did not go up with His brothers; but, He did go and teach in the synagogue without fear. “Then they sought to take Him: but no man laid hands on him, because his hour was not yet come” (John 7:30). What trial, sorrow, or fear are you facing today? [bctt tweet=” Know this! God is in control! His plan for you, dear believer, is to bring you to a place of joy.”] [bctt tweet=”Joy in Him. Turn your eyes to Him who is able to keep you safe in His Gracious Arms of love.”]
The video I chose for you today is It Is Well with My Soul featuring an excerpt from John Piper
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Amplified Bible (AMP)Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631. All rights reserved.
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