No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret.
Here Jesus’ own brothers – who don’t believe in Him yet – attempt to goad Him into going public. You ought to leave here and go to Judea, so that your disciples may see the miracles you do.
For all His notoriety, Jesus wasn’t a publicity seeker. He preferred family, a small circle of close friends, remote areas and quiet evenings alone in prayer. Many students of Jesus identify with this.
Yet, His compassion drives Him to use His energy and power to help the poor and the sick. Naturally, His fame grows.
His brothers chide their humble Brother without mercy - Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world.
Therefore Jesus told them, "The right time for me has not yet come; for you any time is right.”
Jesus has a mission and in His time He will shine brighter than the stars. The cross is waiting. There will be an empty tomb and exaltation to the throne of heaven.
But not yet…
In this moment, we glimpse the path Jesus would have preferred to walk if not for His love of people. In fact, would He have ever left heaven in the first place if not for His love for people?
Our Teacher is a reluctant star, and He will choose the path less travelled. The difficult and treacherous way - The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify that what it does is evil.
And He shines all the more brighter in our eyes because of this.
Sorry the new post didn't come
ReplyDeleteup this morning. Not sure what
happened since it was posted
four days ago. Apparently,
some glitch in the system.
My apologies.
Denny
An amazing aspect of Jesus life & ministry was the fact that from the very beginning to the end there was always someone who wanted to kill Jesus. He lived this reality alone. Even when the right time was near & he tried to share this with those closest to himself, they just didn't get it and he was alone. In the midst of all the good that he did he was always having to avoid what was unavoidable. He did have an appointed time & this was his mission. And so when the time had come that he should be recieved up he steadfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem. Here he is among family and when he says my time is not yet come and the world hates me, he's alone. They didn't get it. I amagine that in their minds their brother was a fool. And I guess he was, but I'm so glad that the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
ReplyDeleteWell worth the wait
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