From the desk of Pastor Ben

The Proper Time

There was much grumbling among the crowds concerning Him; some were saying, “He is a good man”; others were saying, “No, on the contrary, He leads the people astray.” Yet no one was speaking openly of Him for fear of the Jews.
(John 7:12-13)

Activities in Jerusalem confirmed the wisdom of Jesus’ caution in going there. There was much discussion among the people, revolving around 2 views of the Lord: some were saying, “He is a good man,” whereas others claimed, “He leads the people astray .” But both perceptions were incorrect. A mere good man would not claim to be God (John 8:24, 28, 58), and a deceiver would not perform the genuine miracles that Jesus did (John 10:25, 37-38; 14:10-11).

Tragically, the view that Christ led the people astray was the one most Jews eventually accepted. Although the leaders plainly rejected Him, the Sanhedrin had not officially passed judgment regarding Him. Therefore, the masses guarded their words, speaking neither for nor against Him, until an official response came forth.

This passage shows us that Jesus always followed God’s timetable perfectly. And He always did the Father’s will precisely in line with God’s infallible wishes. If we are genuine followers of Christ, we will be able to do the same — because we possess both His Word and His Spirit. The Word informs us (Psalm 40:8), and the Holy Spirit enables us to obey with gladness (Psalm 143:10; 119:111). Unbelievers don’t have these capabilities, but nonetheless, any day is right for them to turn to the Lord for salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2).

Ask Yourself:
Failing to act wisely in certain situations may have caused you a world of trouble in the past. Perhaps, in fact, you’ve lost confidence in your ability to make smart choices. Always remember that the beginning of wisdom is to fear the Lord. What might this lead you to do?