Today’s Reading: John 7:1-9

Go up to the festival yourselves. I’m not going up to the festival yet, because My time has not yet fully come.” 

 

John 7:8

Reflection

God’s timing is a part of His Will. Throughout His time on earth, Jesus, submits to the timing of His Heavenly Father. As Jesus continues to gain greater following by performing signs and miracles, His ministry becomes such a threat to the Jews that some want to kill Him. And so, during the Feast of Tabernacles, when the Jews gather in Jerusalem to celebrate the festival, Jesus decides to attend at a later time in secret. His biological brothers do not understand why Jesus does not want to be known at the Festival. “If you do these things, show Yourself to the world,” they tell their brother. For they do not even believe that Jesus is the Promised Messiah.

But Jesus reveals an important truth about His work on earth. I’m not going up to the festival yet,” he replies, “because my time has not fully come.”

His time had not yet come. This shows that Jesus not only yielded His works to the Father, but the timing of them as well. Jesus was aware that His Father would bring about the perfect opportunity for His Son to do the work He was sent to accomplish.

As we trust God’s Will for us, we must, like Christ, trust completely in His timing too. God not only determines what He will do in and through us, but also when He will do it. Jesus Himself does not seize just any opportunity to reveal the fullness of His Glory. No temptation or lure could convince Him to supersede the timing in His Father’s Will. Instead, as the Messiah, Jesus waits on His Father’s timing which unfolds to reveal His Glory the only way that it could fully be shown: not through just amazing signs and wonders, but on the Cross.

Our Father’s timing is perfect. How do you practice your faith in your Heavenly Father? When asking Him what is in His Will for us, it is best to not only ask God what, but also when. Our trust in His perfect Will goes hand in hand with resting in His perfect timing.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, You are the Author of time. You are the only Eternal One. The beginning and the end of the universe rest in Your Almighty Hands. Thank You for each second You grant to me by Your grace. Thank You for Your perfect timing. As I seek Your Will in all things, please help me to trust in how You work all things together. Help me to remember Your Perfect Son’s example to live surrendered to You completely . In Jesus’ Precious Name I pray, AMEN.

 

Thru the Bible in a year (credit: Biblestudytools.com): John 7:1-24; 1 Chronicles 27-28; Zechariah 12