After this Jesus went about in Galilee. He did not wish to go about in Judea because the Jews were looking for an opportunity to kill him. Now the Jewish festival of Booths was near. So his brothers said to him, ‘Leave here and go to Judea so that your disciples also may see the works you are doing; for no one who wants to be widely known acts in secret. If you do these things, show yourself to the world.’ (For not even his brothers believed in 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. Go to the festival yourselves. I am not going to this festival, for my time has not yet fully come.’ After saying this, he remained in Galilee. But after his brothers had gone to the festival, then he also went, not publicly but as it were in secret. The Jews were looking for him at the festival and saying, ‘Where is he?’ And there was considerable complaining about him among the crowds. While some were saying, ‘He is a good man’, others were saying, ‘No, he is deceiving the crowd.’ Yet no one would speak openly about him for fear of the Jews. John 7:1-13
I was in a meeting recently when someone remarked that although we have been working on this for decades, people have decided now is the time. The old folk song reminds us, quoting Ecclesiastes, " and a time for every season under heaven." It was not Jesus' time yet for the final passion, the final drama. He was drawn to stay away from the festival and was also drawn to the people. Despite the threats and fears, Jesus went to be with the people. And in bad times, good times and all of our seasons, he is with us, even when the timing is bad.
Living Creator, you dwell with the people
turning us and renewing us in all times
amidst challenges and great threats
you desire always to live among us all.
Our world is full of threats and violence
we divide when we should be leaning in
we push away when it is time to reach out
yet you are there in our very human failings.
Help us to see that it is time for embracing
it is time to serve and reach out to others
now is the time for your love to flourish
even when we are afraid and anxious here. Amen.
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