My time has not yet come, but your time is always ready

After these things Jesus walked in Galilee; for He did not want to walk in Judea, because the Jews sought to kill Him. Now the Jews' Feast of Tabernacles was at hand. His brothers therefore said to Him, "Depart from here and go into Judea, that Your disciples also may see the works that You are doing. For no one does anything in secret while he himself seeks to be known openly. If You do these things, show Yourself to the world." For even His brothers did not believe in Him. Then Jesus said to them, "My time has not yet come, but your time is always ready. The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me because I testify of it that its works are evil. You go up to this feast. I am not yet going up to this feast, for My time has not yet fully come." When He had said these things to them, He remained in Galilee. But when His brothers had gone up, then He also went up to the feast, not openly, but as it were in secret. Then the Jews sought Him at the feast, and said, "Where is He?" And there was much complaining among the people concerning Him. Some said, "He is good"' others said, "No, on the contrary, He deceives the people." However, no one spoke openly of Him for fear of the Jews.

- John 7:1-13

In the readings over the past week or so, we have read of Jesus' feeding of the multitudes on the mountain (his fourth miracle or sign in John's Gospel), and the crowds wishing to make Jesus king as a result. After that, Jesus engaged in the discourse on the Bread of Life. In yesterday's reading, we read of many disciples falling away because of this teaching, that "whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day." In yesterday's reading, we also heard Peter's confession, that for the twelve there is nowhere else to go for the "words of eternal life." But Jesus indicated that He knew one of His own chosen twelve would betray Him. See This is a hard saying; who can understand it?

After these things Jesus walked in Galilee; for He did not want to walk in Judea, because the Jews sought to kill Him. My study bible notes here (in a note that pertains to the next sections of the Gospel): "This section (chs. 7-9) tells of Jesus' visit to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Tabernacles (v.2). At this festival, during the last year of His earthly life; Jesus taught in the temple and attracted a great deal of public attention. Some thought Him mad, others believed Him to be the Messiah, and still others (Sadducees and Pharisees who were members of the Sanhedrin) considered Him a threat to the religious and political status quo (ch. 7). The Jews, that is the Jewish leaders, sought to kill Him (see 5:16)." It's important to remember that "the Jews" refers to the leadership of the temple. I also think that we see Jesus going where it is necessary for Him to go; He is not yet ready for the hour of His Passion. We should reflect on this in life: where it is important to be for us at which time, when confrontation is not essential nor appropriate, and when and why it is at other times.

Now the Jews' Feast of Tabernacles was at hand. My study bible notes, "The Feast of Tabernacles (Heb. succoth) is an eight day autumn harvest festival commemorating the wanderings of ancient Israel in the wilderness of Sinai, a time when the chosen people lived in tents (or "tabernacles"). Along with Passover and Pentecost, Tabernacles was one of the three most important festivals of the ancient Jews." We will see how this feast (as have others, such as the Feast of Unleavened Bread at Passover) has reflections and significance in the actions of Jesus here that we will read of.

His brothers therefore said to Him, "Depart from here and go into Judea, that Your disciples also may see the works that You are doing. For no one does anything in secret while he himself seeks to be known openly. If You do these things, show Yourself to the world." For even His brothers did not believe in Him. My study bible notes, "His brothers are members of His wider family clan who themselves do not believe in Him (v. 5). The Eastern Fathers understood 'brothers' as stepbrothers, sons of Joseph by a previous wife; while the Western Fathers understood them to be first or second cousins. Never are they called sons of Mary." Regarding this note, I understand that in the Middle East today, cousins are called "brother." But what is important to me is not whether or not these are blood brothers. We understand already that Jesus has testified that a prophet has no honor in his own country (from John 4). In the recent readings, His neighbors who know Him have been grumbling about His proclamations as to His identity ("the bread from heaven") and union with the Father. Now, we are to understand that those closest to Him, his "brothers," do not believe either. In fact, they are challenging Him.

Then Jesus said to them, "My time has not yet come, but your time is always ready. The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me because I testify of it that its works are evil. You go up to this feast. I am not yet going up to this feast, for My time has not yet fully come." When He had said these things to them, He remained in Galilee. Well, this is quite interesting, to my mind. First of all, Jesus is calling His brothers, "of the world." In this sense, we understand that Jesus is here for judgment, and yesterday's reading, with its dark undertones of betrayal and death, started to make that clear for us. The world will respond to Christ with murder, with crucifixion, with rejection. But His time has not yet come, it is not His hour. But we will see what His plans are now.

But when His brothers had gone up, then He also went up to the feast, not openly, but as it were in secret. My study bible notes, "Not openly means not publicly, as in the case of the Triumphal Entry (12:12-16)." There are times when it is proper for Him to appear openly, and times when His work is properly done in secret. Jesus will use the best option that is available to Him, in the right time.

Then the Jews sought Him at the feast, and said, "Where is He?" And there was much complaining among the people concerning Him. Some said, "He is good"' others said, "No, on the contrary, He deceives the people." However, no one spoke openly of Him for fear of the Jews. We understand that it is the time of betrayal that is on the way. We understand that it is the time in which the leadership is seeking to rid themselves of Him. But Jesus is there in secret, in a time of turmoil and decision among the crowds. He has some who support Him, and others who claim He is just a deceiver. And He walks there amongst them. But all the common people are afraid of the leadership, so they, too, do not speak openly.

I find so much darkness, and intrigue, in John's Gospel - especially in the last two readings. While Jesus has just announced the great good news that He is the bread that came down from heaven, that gives even eternal life, the decisions have begun for rejection and falling away. And, in yesterday's reading, Jesus announced that even one of His own twelve whom He chose Himself will betray Him. What does this mean for us, but that we are to understand the world that we live in? At the festival now, Jesus walks in secret among the crowds, who debate about Him, also in secret, for fear of the leadership. This Gospel is one of Mystery, of the secrets of judgment, and the reality of the world and our choices in it. What do we accept? What do we reject? And on what stone does the judgment itself rest? Here, we are led a little further into this depth of complexity, contrast and Mystery. Where will you stand on this choice?