In the 7th chapter of the Gospel of John, we see that Jesus could have used some good news. He knew that the Jewish leaders were intent on arresting Him, and putting Him to death. He was laying low, staying in Galilee so that the leaders in Judea wouldn't seize Him. But the time was coming for the Feast of Tabernacles, when traditionally all observant Jews traveled to Jerusalem.
His family, who lived near Galilee, encouraged Him to go. His half-brothers (sons of His mother Mary and their human father Joseph) encouraged Him to go and show Himself.
But when the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles was near, Jesus' brothers said to Him, "You ought to leave here and go to Judea, so that your disciples may see the miracles You do. No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since You are doing these things, show yourself to the world." For even His own brothers did not believe in Him. (John 7.2-5)So the good news was that Jesus was surrounded by family. The bad news was that His family was ready to throw Him under the bus. It is not clear whether they feared that the Jews would come to Galilee to arrest Him, or if they were jealously taunting Him. They may have been saying, "Okay, Mr. Big Shot. You're going around doing all these miracles and signs out here in this Podunk little town; if You're trying to rule the world, then go to the Capitol--that's where all the action is!"
Therefore Jesus told them, "The right time for me has not yet come. For you, any time is right. The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify that what it does is evil. You go to the Feast. I am not yet going up to the Feast, because for me the right time has not yet come." (John 7.6-8)The Bible talks a lot about "the fullness of time". I Timothy 2.5-6 says, "For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all men--the testimony given in its proper time." Galatians 4.4 says "But when the time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons."
But I digress. Jesus did go to the Feast of Tabernacles, but only after His family had left. He kept a low profile in Jerusalem, but halfway through the Feast, He did start teaching publicly. Those who knew about the Jews' plot to kill Him said, "Why aren't the authorities arresting this man? Have they gone mad, and become His followers, too? Surely not!" Those who were not in the know heard Jesus talk about His keeping the Law, but the Jews never were able to keep the Law--so why were they trying to kill Him? The "out" crowd asked Him, "Are you insane? Who is trying to kill you?" Jesus continued to teach, and the Jews continued to plot.
At this, they tried to seize Him, but no one laid a hand on Him, because His time had not yet come. (John 7.30)Jesus had His own agenda, and He wasn't done. There were still people who needed to hear the Good News, and He wasn't going to let them shorten His ministry until all had heard and believed. For the same reason, He has not returned to earth the second time to gather His own up to Heaven--because there are still some who need to hear the Gospel of Christ, and believe.
On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him. (John 7.37-38)This is very similar to the message He gave the Woman at the Well in Samaria (see John 4). But in that context, He was using imagery of what she saw physically in order to open her eyes spiritually. At the Feast, He used these words because the crowds in Jerusalem were familiar with them. Isaiah 55.1 says, "Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost." Even the poorest among them could eat and be filled; they could drink and never thirst again, because God had come to them and shared His riches with them. Isaiah 58.11 says, "The Lord will guide you always; He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring, whose waters never fail." Jesus was telling the crowd, some of whom had been present when he fed the 5000, that He was the fulfillment of prophecy.
But still some refused to believe.
Finally the temple guards went back to the chief priests and Pharisees, who asked them, "Why didn't you bring Him in?" "No one ever spoke the way this man does," the guards declared. "You mean that he has decieved you also?" the Pharisees retorted. "Has any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed in Him? No! But this mob that knows nothing of the law--there is a curse on them." (John 7.45-49)In other words, follow us, and not Him.
Nicodemus, who had gone to Jesus earlier and who was one of their own number, asked, "Does our law condemn anyone without first hearing him to find out what he is doing?" They replied, "Are you from Galilee, too? Look into it, and you will find that a prophet does not come out of Galilee." (John 7.50-52)They were wrong, of course. The official Upholders of Truth and Traditions were not any smarter than the crowds they looked down on. Nicodemus knew it, too, but he chose not to fight that battle here. The time wasn't right--he could have been killed, too.
Even today, Jesus comes to us where we are. He tugs at our heartstrings, and beckons us Home. But voices from religion and politics and political correctness try to drown Him out. It has been this way for centuries, and will continue to be. Our job is to believe, and to share our knowledge with others. Don't be discouraged, Brethren. The time is not right, but in the fullness of time He will come to rule over the earth, and to take us with Him to heaven.
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