After these things, Jesus was
traveling in Galilee, for he wouldn’t go to Judea, because the Jews sought to
kill him. The Feast of Booths was at hand and his brothers said to him, “Leave
here and go to Judea that people there may see the works you do. No one should
do such things in secret, but should seek to be known everywhere. If you do
this, the whole world will know.” (Even his brothers didn’t believe in him.)
Jesus said to them, “My time has
not yet come, but your time is always ready. The world doesn’t hate you, but it
hates me, because I tell how its works are evil. You go up to the feast. I’m
not going up to this feast, because it isn’t yet my time.”
Having said these things to
them, he stayed in Galilee. But when his brothers had left for the feast, he
also went up, not publicly, but in secret. The Jews sought him at the feast, saying,
“Where is he?” There was much murmuring among the crowds concerning him. Some
said, “He is a good man.” Others said, “No. He leads the multitude astray.” Yet
no one spoke openly of him for fear of the Jews.
Reflection
It had become clear to Jesus
that his ministry would bring him into conflict with religious and political
authorities. He didn’t run from this confrontation, but neither did he run to
it. Instead, he waited until he had been assured by God that the time was
right. Are you more likely to avoid conflict or embrace it? How do you decide
when the time is right to do something you would rather avoid?
Prayer: Help me be bold, not
foolish, Lord, when crises and conflicts come.
No comments:
Post a Comment