_________________________________________________________________________

Today we are going to resume our study in John’s gospel picking up where we left off at the end of chapter 6. Before we move into chapter 7 this morning, let me place this thought on your heart. “How often do we stop and consider God’s will for our life before we make decisions about where we go and what we do?”

Are you are planner? You plan out the events of each day the best you can. You pretty much know where and when you will be someplace. Very rarely do you end up somewhere by chance. Or are you spontaneous? You have certain obligations and are good at meeting those, but the rest of your time is subject to whatever happens. You’re prone to spur of the moment decisions. You’re okay with whatever others are doing.

I believe you would agree with me that God gives us all an allotted time here on earth and by doing so He has a plan and purpose for our life. We are stewards of our time and as stewards we will all one day give an account of our life to the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:10).

Where does God’s will for our life factor in to our stewardship of time? How often do we make decisions based on what we believe God would have us do as opposed to what we want to do or what others would have us to do? I believe Jesus deals with this type of scenario here in our scripture passage this morning.

What I hope we will see here in this text is how God’s will determined when and where Jesus went and allow it to teach us to do likewise.

In order to set the context for chapter 7, it’s important to note the events that are about to take place happen during the Feast of Tabernacles. Over the next few weeks we are going see how Jesus takes the most significant meaning of this feast and shows how it points to Him as the Messiah. As He did in chapter 6 with the bread at the Passover festival. As Jesus prepares for the Feast of Tabernacles, notice how He deals with God’s will for His life.

1. The Jews were looking to kill Him.

In John’s gospel the word “Jews” refers to the religious leadership instead of the people almost every time. It’s the religious leaders who insight the people to ask for Barabbas instead of Jesus at His trial before Pilate. Back in chapter 5 after Jesus healed the invalid at the Pool of Bethesda—the Jews sought to kill Him (5:18).

John tells us here that Jesus was aware that the Jews ‘were waiting to take His life.’ It’s not that Jesus was afraid to die that He stayed away from Judea (Mat. 20:28)...He stayed away because it wasn’t the right time for His death.

The Feast of Tabernacles is not the festival where God has ordained His Son to be sacrificed for our sins...that would be the Passover Feast. When we see Jesus using caution concerning His welfare that’s not an expression of doubt in His Father’s ability to protect Him...it’s showing responsibility and obedience to God’s will for His life.

When Satan tempted Jesus to jump from the highest point of the temple in Matthew 4, to prove He was the Son of God. Jesus replied by saying, “It is written, ‘Do not put your Lord God to the test.”

I wonder: are we ever guilty of putting God to the test? Do we ever get involved in activities or make decisions that are not in line with God’s will for our life thinking, assuming "God will get me out of this situation if it goes bad"? Jesus knew the Jews were looking to take His life and He used caution until the time was right.

2. Popularity was not His desire.

In verses 2-5 we read about a challenge from Jesus brothers to take His ministry to the big city. It’s as if they’re saying, “You’ll never be famous if you stay out here in the rural area.”

It’s hard to say if His brothers are sincere or just being sarcastic when they ask Him to go to Judea. Perhaps, they thought if He would do some of the miracles in Jerusalem that He was doing in Galilee...He might gain the approval of the religious leaders. We do know from verse 5 that they didn’t believe in Him at that time.

When I read this passage, I see non-believers trying to give direction to God. This points out a popular mindset among people still today. Man really knows what’s best. I once saw a jacket that read: “If Jesus died on a cross for me He wasted His time.”

That’s just another way of saying I don’t need this Jesus, I know what’s best for me. When Jesus left the glory of heaven to come here and die on an old rugged cross...it wasn’t to be popular, it was to fulfill God’s plan of salvation. When you and I do things just to be popular...how does it turn out? Usually not very good.

3. Living on God’s time is what really mattered.

Verses 6-9 explain what matter’s most in Jesus life. Being in tune with His Father’s will. According to Deut. 16:16 there were three annual festivals all Jewish males were required to attend (Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles). Historians say that the Feast of Tabernacles was the most festive and most attended by the people.

Jesus told his brothers to go on to the festival, (any time would be right for them to go) but He was on a different time schedule. He wasn’t going until the time was right for Him.

Timing is important to God. “When the time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman (Gal. 4:4).” “You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly (Rom. 5:6). Friends time is important to God.

Jesus knew He was going to the festival—but He was not going until the time was right. Verses 10-11 tells us that the Jews were looking for Him to come, but He decided the best thing to do was not make a grand appearance. He went discretely. In verse 14 we read about when it was time for Him to make a public appearance.

4. Being the center of controversy was unavoidable.

There was a radio advertisement recently promoting a book titled “The Name”. In that radio spot this line appears, “The name of Jesus transforms some and troubles others.” The truth is—you are either for Him or you’re against Him.

The crowd was divided as to whether Jesus was a good man or a deceiver. Basically—they were both wrong. Jesus is more than just a good man and He certainly was not a deceiver. He’s God in the flesh.

The message of John’s gospel is this, ‘eternal life is found only in accepting Jesus as God’s Son and then accepting Him as your personal Savior.’ It was a controversial message then and it still is today. What’s happening here in these last few verses is simple, “People are being challenged in their heart to make a decision about who Jesus really is.” Perhaps your heart is telling you this morning that you have a decision to make concerning who Jesus really is? The Bible says, “Now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2).

Learning to live on God’s time begins when you invite Jesus into your life to be both Savior and Lord. If you haven’t done that yet, ‘now is the time.’ Then following your commitment to Christ...allow God’s Spirit to determine where you go and what you do with the time He has given you here on earth to serve him.