John 7:1-9
This exchange between Jesus and his brothers reminds me of something a family might say to a family member that perhaps is embarrassing them, or that they want to confront – as in saying, “if you’re for real, go and prove it somewhere else.” These brothers, who may have reflected a contingent of the population at that time, were challenging Jesus to ‘come out’ so to speak, to show the rest of the world what he was professing. This reads as a taunt given by those close to Jesus who remained skeptical. When Jesus responds, “The right time for me has not yet come…,” he seems to be calculating on the timing of sharing his message to a larger audience. Jesus acknowledges the open hostility toward him at that time. Jesus knows it will be difficult for the masses to really hear him because his message confronts malevolence.
2 comments:
The curious thing is taht in our very next passage Jesus goes down to the festival anyway.
Kind a smaller version of what Jesus prayed in Gethsemane: not my will but thy will be done. He goes but not because he's been goaded into it but because that is his calling/leading.
Isn't it interesting that he is worshipping God in his own way, apart from the others and in secrecy. Sometimes you cannot stay with your family because its not what God wants (the passage about anyone who does not hate their father and mother is not fit for the kingdom of God; its not actual hatred but the willingness to do what you must). This can be lonely and frightening but it can also bring you closer to God.
Thanks for the post, Meredith, and for your comment, David, that drew this out of me.
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