Whose Timetable is More Important?

We have finished chapter 6 and Jesus’ bread of life discourse and are now moving to chapter 7.  Remember that John is not writing a comprehensive account of Jesus’ life but rather filling in the gaps from the synoptic gospels. 

 

Verse 1 of chapter 7 begins, “After these things.”  There is probably a six month period of time between chapters 6 and seven.  We know this because at the beginning of chapter 6, it was time for the Passover which was in April.  See John 6:4.

 

4 Now the Passover, a feast of the Jews, was near.

 

According to John 7:2, it is now time for the Feast of Tabernacles or Booths, which takes place in October.  What did this feast celebrate?

 

The Feast of Tabernacles took place in the fall and was a time of thanksgiving for the harvest. It was a happy time, and a time of celebration. 

 

As for demonstration, and for one week, devout Jews would live outdoors in tabernacles or booths made of tree branches.  Their actions remembered God’s provision in the desert during their forefather’s wanderings.  See Leviticus 23:39-43.

 

39 ‘Also on the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when you have gathered in the fruit of the land, you shall keep the feast of the Lord for seven days; on the first day there shall be a Sabbath-rest, and on the eighth day a Sabbath-rest. 40 And you shall take for yourselves on the first day the fruit of beautiful trees, branches of palm trees, the boughs of leafy trees, and willows of the brook; and you shall rejoice before the Lord your God for seven days. 41 You shall keep it as a feast to the Lord for seven days in the year. It shall be a statute forever in your generations. You shall celebrate it in the seventh month. 42 You shall dwell in booths for seven days. All who are native Israelites shall dwell in booths, 43 that your generations may know that I made the children of Israel dwell in booths when I brought them out of the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.’”

 

From this morning’s text, I want to ask you the question, “Whose Timetable is More Important?”  Our society and culture operates on time.  Our work day is timed.  Our school day is timed.  Our lives are timed, but whose timetable is more important, yours or God’s? 

 

When it comes to taking a job or changing jobs, whose timetable is more important?  When it comes to making a significant purchase, whose timetable is more important?  When it comes to beginning relationships or ending relationships, whose timetable is more important?  Are you going to live your life according to your time or God’s timing? 

 

However, before we answer that question, I want you to see three different groups of people and how they related to Jesus: His foes, His family, and some other folks.

 

 

1. His Foes wanted to Murder Him, John 7:1.

1 After these things Jesus walked in Galilee; for He did not want to walk in Judea, because the Jews sought to kill Him.

 

So, now we are in October, and Jesus had been ministering in Galilee healing the sick, exorcising demons, preaching the gospel, and discipling the Twelve.  He remained in Galilee because the Jewish religious leaders or His foes were opposed to Him, and they were ready to murder Him. 

 

He exposed their hypocritical and self-centered religious traditions, and they saw Him gaining influence quickly among the people.   They wanted to kill Him soon.

 

By the way, this right here is exactly why Jesus said what He did in Matthew 5:21-22.

 

21 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’ 22 But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire.

 

Because these Jews let their anger go unchecked, it had progressed to a desire for murder.  Brothers and sisters, God’s plan for you is to kill your sin not curb your sin.  If you don’t kill your sin, it will end up killing you.

 

 

9. His Family Misunderstood Him, John 7:2-9.

2 Now the Jews’ Feast of Tabernacles was at hand. 3 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. 4 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.” 5 For even His brothers did not believe in Him.  6 Then Jesus said to them, “My time has not yet come, but your time is always ready. 7 The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me because I testify of it that its works are evil. 8 You go up to this feast. I am not yet going up to this feast, for My time has not yet fully come.” 9 When He had said these things to them, He remained in Galilee. 

 

As I mentioned previously, verse 2 tells us that the Feast of Tabernacles was near.  Elsewhere, this is called the Feast of Booths or the Feast of Shelters, and it was celebrated in Jerusalem. 

 

Again, it was a time of thanksgiving and remembering how the Lord provided for the nation of Israel during their wanderings in the wilderness in the Old Testament.  As a sign, devout Jews made a booth out of tree branches and lived in it for seven days while celebrating this feast.

 

In verse 3, we see the introduction of Jesus’ brothers.  These were actually half brothers from Joseph and Mary.  See Matthew 13:55.

 

55 Is this not the carpenter’s son? Is not His mother called Mary? And His brothers James, Joses, Simon, and Judas?

 

They wanted Jesus to go on to Jerusalem as many people would be there for the Feast of Tabernacles, and He could do some signs and demonstrate that He truly was the Messiah.  They thought Jesus wanted fame and notoriety and to gain a following. 

 

However, they misunderstood Jesus.  Jesus had a different agenda.  He didn’t come to entertain.   He came to be executed and to give His life as a ransom for many.

 

Verse 5 says at this time, they didn’t believe in Him.  How does your family treat you and your commitment to Christ?

 

Like these brothers here in verses 3-4, some family will be sarcastic.  They will mock you and your decision to follow the Lord.

 

Beginning in verse 6, some family will be totally secular and antagonistic.  Jesus said that He and His brothers didn’t share the same timetable, and they didn’t share the same world-view. 

 

If you are a follower of Christ, your worldview is spiritual.  If you aren’t, your worldview is secular, and the world loves you. 

 

In verse 8, Jesus told them to go ahead of Him, and perhaps He would come later.  Verse 9 says He remained in Galilee for a while. 

 

Jesus also had a different timetable.  Notice verse 6.  He said His time had not come because He was living according to His timetable but God’s timetable.  How are you living this morning?  Are you trying to live your life and accomplish your agenda on your timetable?  Have you ever considered God’s timetable for your life?  Jesus commented that his brothers could come and go as they please because they weren’t operating on His timetable.

 

Jesus also had a different standard.  He said the world cannot hate His brothers because His brothers were of the world.  They would not hate their own.  However, Jesus had demonstrated to the world that the problem with the world is the world, and people didn’t like that.  The same is true today.  Do you know what the problem with the world is?  It is me and you.  It is us.  Do you know that the problem with the church is?  It is church members.  Jesus’ standard was perfection, and ours is less.  As a result of having a different agenda, a different timetable, and a different standard, Jesus’ family misunderstood Him.

 

In verse 8, He tells them to go to the feast themselves.  Again, He is on God’s timetable, and it wasn’t time yet.  Therefore, He stayed in Galilee a little while longer as His brothers traveled.  He then went Himself secretly so as not to draw attention as the Jews, His foes were looking out for Him.

 

 

• Some Folks sent Mixed Signals about Him, John 7:10-13.

10 But when His brothers had gone up, then He also went up to the feast, not openly, but as it were in secret. 11 Then the Jews sought Him at the feast, and said, “Where is He?” 12 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.” 13 However, no one spoke openly of Him for fear of the Jews.

 

Verse 10 says that Jesus’ brothers did go up to Jerusalem, and He went eventually, but not at the same time and not with them.  He even went covertly because He knew there were those after Him.

 

When talking about Jesus in verses 11-13, there wasn’t a firm consensus.  Some thought Jesus was good.  Others said He was a liar so these folks as a whole were sending mixed signals. 

 

By the way, life’s ultimate question is what do you do with Jesus?  CS Lewis said He is either a liar or a lunatic or your Lord.  So, which is for you?  Will you continue to reject Him or will you receive Him today?

 

 

Conclusion

Back to our original question.  Whose timetable is more important?  Notice verse 6.  Jesus said His time had not come because He wasn’t living according to His timetable but God’s timetable. 

In verse 8, Jesus said something similar.  He told His brothers to go to the feast themselves.  However, He wasn’t going then or with them.  Why?  He was on God’s timetable, and it wasn’t time yet. 

 

How are you living this morning?  Are you trying to live your life and accomplish your agenda on your timetable?  Have you ever considered God’s timetable for your life? 

 

If you have received Jesus as your Lord and Savior, would you also surrender to His timetable?  His timing for your life and your job and your money and your relationships is far better than your time. 

 

If you don’t believe, try Him, and let me know how it works out.  I am confident that you won’t be disappointed.