February 16, 2026 | Be Connected
The Timing of Jesus
Scripture: John 7:1-9(NIV)
1 After this, Jesus went around in Galilee. He did not want to go about in Judea because the Jewish leaders there were looking for a way to kill him. 2 But when the Jewish Festival of Tabernacles was near, 3 Jesus’ brothers said to him, “Leave Galilee and go to Judea, so that your disciples there may see the works you do. 4 No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world.” 5 For even his own brothers did not believe in him.
6 Therefore Jesus told them, “My time is not yet here; for you any time will do. 7 The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify that its works are evil. 8 You go to the festival. I am not going up to this festival, because my time has not yet fully come.” 9 After he had said this, he stayed in Galilee.
Devotional
Isn’t timing such an interesting thing in this world? This Sunday I was listening to Fishers UMC Bell Choir and thought everybody had to have the right timing to ring their bell[s] to make that song sound so beautiful. The same thing is true for our Fishers UMC choir when they sing. They need to be on the same part of the song to have it sound so elegant. I have been a Stephen Minister in the past and knowing how to say something that might be fragile for the client to hear very much depends on your timing. Sometimes that timing works and other times it does not.
In our Scripture today, Jesus tells his brothers it is not his time to go up to the feast. The brothers are misguided by their own desire to have Jesus reveal himself in their way and in their time. This is how some people feel today. They like the idea of Jesus, just Jesus on their terms, and not on his. They like a Jesus that doesn’t testify that their works are evil. They like a Jesus who doesn’t confront them in their sin.
Even as believers, we can feel this way at times in our flesh. “Jesus, I want to follow you and obey, but just not with this one thing, or in this one area, or just not this sin.” As Christians it is our place to accept Jesus in his way, upon his terms. Jesus would not be manipulated by his brothers to deviate from doing the will of the Father. The lesson Jesus is teaching us here is that we ought not let anybody pressure us into doing what is wrong no matter how many there are, and no matter how close. Stay strong and obey God.
So why did the timing matter that much in this text? It mattered at least for one reason, that Jesus was sent to do the will of his Father who sent him. Jesus was on his mission of redemption. He came to save us and pay the price for our sin on the cross. Now is the time for salvation and to receive his sacrifice for sin. Now is the time to celebrate God’s goodness and the many blessings he bestows upon us. There is much joy, laughing, dancing and freedom in Christ and what he provides for us. God’s timing is perfect.
