JESUS GOES TO THE FESTIVAL IN SECRET

Passage: John 7:1~13  

Key verse: 8

1. "My time has not yet fully come" (1-9)

Jesus perfectly withstood the pressures of the world and remained true to God's purpose and timing. He deliberately avoided Judea because the religious leaders were seeking a way to kill him. This wasn't cowardice on the part of Jesus, but wisdom. Jesus knew that the time for him to die for the sins of the world had not yet come. Jesus' brothers represented the demands of the world that Jesus faced on a daily basis. They wanted him to go to the festival and make a public spectacle of himself, showing his works for everyone to see. Because of their unbelief, they couldn't see Jesus for who he truly was or why he came into the world. Jesus remained true to God's plan and refused to go.

2. Jesus goes in secret (10-13)

After his brothers left, Jesus went to the festival, but in secret instead of publicly. This allowed Jesus to survey the city and observe what people were saying about him. Some said that he was a "good man" and others said he was a "deceiver". Unfortunately, no one referred to Jesus as "savior". At the same time, the religious leaders were aggressively searching for him and creating an atmosphere of fear and intimidation. Our Lord came to a city filled with apprehension and confusion.



Prayer: Father, help us to obey your plan for our lives.

One Word: Jesus was faithful to God's plan