Timing is Everything!

Jesus Goes to the Festival of Tabernacles

7 After this, Jesus went around in Galilee. He did not want to go about in Judea because the Jewish leaders there were looking for a way to kill him. 2 But when the Jewish Festival of Tabernacles was near, 3 Jesus’ brothers said to him, “Leave Galilee and go to Judea, so that your disciples there may see the works you do. 4 No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world.” 5 For even his own brothers did not believe in him.
6 Therefore Jesus told them, “My time is not yet here; for you any time will do. 7 The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify that its works are evil. 8 You go to the festival. I am not going up to this festival, because my time has not yet fully come.” 9 After he had said this, he stayed in Galilee.
The festival of the Tabernacles was one of three festivals the Jewish people went to on an annual basis.  Jews from all around Jerusalem came to meet in the temple for the celebrations.  Because so many Jews would be gathered there, Jesus' brothers thought it would be a good time for Jesus to work some miracles so he could "become a public figure".  At that time not even his brothers believed he was the Messiah.  
But Jesus is not there to do his brother's bidding.  He was not working on their timetable His Father's.  Later Jesus would come to the Festival and reveal himself once again, but only as he was led by the Father.  This story shows an important principle in Jesus' life.  He never did anything to prove himself or to make a public showing for the purpose of impressing others.  He knew, in fact, that no matter what miracles he did, some would not believe.  He wasn't interested in putting on a "dog and pony" show.  
We have all heard the saying, "timing is everything"!  For Jesus timing was everything.  He knew that as is popularity was growing so would the animosity of the Pharisees and others toward him.  Today it says and "they began looking for a way to arrest him."   I don't know about you but sometimes my timing is bad.  I do things impulsively, out of anxiety to prove myself, or am just plain impatient.  Waiting on God is not an easy thing to do, but I have found things go so much better if I do.  Where in your life do you need to wait on God?  Others may be suggesting you do otherwise, but make sure you as Paul says in Galatians 5:16, "Keep in step with the Spirit!"  As we are led by the Holy Spirit, God will lead us in His timing and His ways, not ours.

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