How does Jesus' decision in John 7:8 reflect His submission to the Father? Setting the Scene • The context is the Feast of Tabernacles in Jerusalem • Jesus’ half-brothers urge Him to go publicly and prove Himself (John 7:3-5) • Public expectation is high, but His Father’s timetable is higher John 7:8 in Focus “You go up to the feast. I am not going up to this feast, because My time has not yet fully come.” What We Learn about Submission • Dependence on the Father’s Timetable – “My time” (Greek kairos) signals an exact, God-appointed moment – Jesus refuses to move merely on family pressure • Refusal to Seek Human Approval – His brothers crave a public display; He waits for divine authorization – Compare John 5:41: “I do not accept glory from men” • Consistency with Earlier Statements – John 2:4: “My hour has not yet come” – John 12:27 & 17:1 mark the moment when the Father finally says “Now” • Obedience Even When Misunderstood – He later goes secretly (John 7:10), proving He spoke only of timing, not intention – No contradiction: He simply would not arrive on their schedule Other Passages Showing the Same Heart • John 4:34 — “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me” • John 5:19 — “the Son can do nothing by Himself” • John 6:38 — “I have come…not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me” • Philippians 2:8 — “He humbled Himself and became obedient to death” Key Takeaways 1. Divine timing outranks human urgency 2. True obedience may involve waiting as much as acting 3. Submission to God safeguards us from living for applause 4. When Scripture says Jesus obeyed perfectly, John 7:8 is one more literal proof |
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