The Lord's Timing (St John 7:1-17)

THE LORD'S TIMING

(ST JOHN 7: 1 - 17)



Dear Fellow Christians,

In every facet of life, timing is especially important to ensure that we make the right decisions at the right time: whether it involves enrolling our children at a particular school, catching a flight at the airport or making an investment decision— it is natural for us to make prudent decisions at the correct timing. However, life often takes an unexpected turn and we do not always do things at the perfect timing despite our best efforts and attempts. For example, we cannot predict a person’s death or determine exactly when we will get inflicted with a disease. No one can likewise predict when a person gets married. The same goes for our investment decisions in purchasing a new house or shares.

I hope that the teaching from this week’s Bible passage will help us to live our lives in a more placid manner. The blessed passage reminds us that all events that happen are controlled by God and only He knows best.

Starting from the first verse of the beginning of Chapter 7, we are reminded that approximately six months have passed since the trail of events took place in Chapter 6. The setting of this chapter begins with the introduction of the Jewish feast of tabernacles which was held sometime in October. When the brothers of the Lord Jesus asked Him to join them in the feast, the Lord declined the invitation by saying that ‘My time is not yet come’ (v.6) and gave additional reasons why he should not join them yet (Jn 7:7-8) The Lord only went to the feast a few days later after His brothers made their journey to Jerusalem (Jn 7:10).

While reading this passage, we would unavoidably wonder why the Lord did not embark on the journey together with His brothers. What is a couple of day’s difference? Why did He go in secret? I think it is not exactly that secretive — there was just no announcement made about His trip. Along the same line of thought, we must be reminded that this is the final year of His ministry and the Lord was already a popular figure as illustrated in verses 11 to 13: The Jews sought after Him and asked where the Lord was; there was also much debate about our Lord’s works. Then in verse 14, the Lord Jesus appeared in the midst of the feast and taught the people who gathered to hear the word of God in the temple.

John 7:6 may not be as famous as John 3:16— but every word that God speaks is useful for exhortation, instructions and beneficial in our pilgrim’s journey on this earth. We learn that all events have already been perfectly timed by God. Even this trip that the Lord made to Jerusalem has to be timed.  Although we may not know the exact necessity of making the trip a few days later, we trust that it teaches us to obey His timing of events to happen, which must be arranged in accordance to His eternal plans. This is also a reminder for us that the eternal plan is very detailed as such a journey is timed to the last second.

I will refer to another two illustrations to strengthen our faith in God’s perfect timing. The first is the Passover lamb. It is of no surprise that the time of the Lord’s death was at 3 pm, as it happened between the evenings (i.e. the time between 3 pm to 6 pm). The time of the Lord’s death serves to fully fulfil the prophecy of the scripture that He is the antitype of the Passover lamb— i.e. the Redeemer who saves us. In the second illustration— which is found in Acts Chapter 2:1— the Holy Spirit descends exactly at the time when the day of Pentecost was fully come. 

What a God and Saviour! He reassures us in the following passages to trust in His words and we need not be anxious about anything! 

Matthew 10:29  Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.

Matthew 10:30  But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.

Matthew 10:31  Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.

Let us commit all our cares to Him in humble prayers as we leave our lives to Him and patiently submit to His perfect timing.

1 Peter 3:12  For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.


Whenever the time of our prayer request is answered or even if it is not answered, we live in perfect peace— because His timing and love for us are impeccable.

With God's blessings,
CL

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