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 . . . 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. John 7: 1-6, 8-10, NKJV.
Gracious God and Heavenly Father, please make us wise, and free. Wisdom to know when it is time for us to fight, and the freedom to choose only those battles that You allow, for our growth. In the name of our Savior Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.
Teenagers are often faced with what is known as peer pressure; the need to fit in, and be accepted, by their friends. Many adults forget how that feels, and often criticize youth for “going along with the crowd.” But peer pressure is real, and it is strong. Because of this, it is a good idea for parents to help their children to develop, from very young, “critical thinking” skills. This ability is not only important when reading a book and writing an essay on that book. Critical thinking can be applied to most, if not all, situations in life. One of these situations would be, when someone is suggesting I do something that I do not want to do, or did not plan to do.
This might resemble the situation spoken of in our Scripture for today. Jesus’ brothers are urging him to go up to the feast in Jerusalem. Notice how they are making it sound like the logical thing to do. The NIV translates their speech this way: ” ‘ “Leave Galilee and go to Judea, so that your disciples there may see the works you do. No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world.” ‘ ” Emphasis provided. In today’s society, they are right on target! You want to become a celebrity, then let the world see what you have to offer. Go where the crowds are – and put on your best show!
Even in Jesus’ day, that was “the thing to do.” But Jesus had not come to earth to become “a public figure.” He had come to give men and women, boys and girls, a glimpse of the Father’s face (John 14: 9). Therefore, He sought only His Father’s approval (John 5: 30). Listen to what Jesus had to say about such behavior, “Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men” (Matthew 6: 1, 2a). He would not go along with their suggestion to put on a “show.”
Knowing why He had come to earth gave Him the strength to choose His battles. He had come, “in the fullness of time” (Galatians 4: 4). And He knew that His time “had not yet come” to be “lifted up” (John 12: 32), before the world. Therefore, He had both the wisdom and the inner-strength, to do the will of the One who had sent Him – when the “hour [had] come” (John 17: 1-8). He would not yield to the “flattery” of those who were being used by the Adversary to distract Him. He would do nothing to jeopardize the plan of salvation! Too much was at stake. One wrong move, and all would be lost.
How much is lost when we fight the wrong battles at the wrong time! How many people in our world, have forfeited their God-given right to choose their battles. In order to get the approval of other human beings, they sacrifice the very principles, that offer them protection in a cruel and hostile world. How many take on battles that they were not ready for and are wounded without a cause. Some even “die before [their] time” (Ecclesiastes 7: 17)!
May God help us, from this day forward, to exercise the right God has given us – to choose our battles.