My time has not yet come ...
He did not wish to go about in Judea because the Jews were looking for an opportunity to kill him. ... Jesus said to them, “My time has not yet come, but your time is always here. The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify against it that its works are evil. -John 7:1,6-7 NRSV
It is an odd scenario. God has appeared in human form. Religious people are plotting to kill him not for heresy but because of hatred. The ones who should reflect love and mercy have given themselves over to hate and violence. Such is the state of religion back then. Such is the condition of religion today. Abuse of power seems to permeate religion.
Yet I am in awe of Christ's wisdom and discernment. It would have been so easy for impatience to overwhelm him. His words challenge me to discern the season and time that I live in. I am so often driven by impulse. Patience seems so far away and yet so very near. It is an issue of discerning His voice. And trusting God's leading with all of my heart.
Teach me to discern the day Lord. Grant me patience in my decisions. Help me to trust you with all I am.
... this devotion is part of an ongoing series on the Gospel of John.
May God sweetly bless you.
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