6 Then Jesus said to them, “My time has not yet come, but your time is always ready.
6 Then Jesus said to them,
Jesus responded to His half-brothers that He was a marked man. He was in no hurry to attend the feast at His brothers’ discretion. Jesus later traveled to this very feast but not in a public caravan.
“My time has not yet come,
The word “time” means opportunity. It was the best time to do something when circumstances were most suitable (Ga 4:4-5). Jesus’ opportunity would not come for another six months.
Jesus’ “time” was His crucifixion and glorification (Jn 12:23). This was a God-appointed time. His brothers’ timing was not part of God’s plan. We find Jesus’ time not coming yet in several passages (Jn 2:4; 7:6, 8, 30; 8:20). Later, Jesus would pray that the time had indeed come (Jn 17:1). He did not allow his half-brothers’ skepticism to drive what He did.
but your time is always ready.
The timing was not dangerous for Jesus’ brothers. Any time would be proper for them. His unbelieving brothers would face no opposition in Jerusalem. Thus, any time would be good for them to go.
PRINCIPLE:
God operates by a timetable and clock of His own making.
APPLICATION:
God has a plan for every moment in the life of Christ determined from eternity. He has a timetable for everything He does. Jesus followed the Father’s eternal counsel in detail. He followed the Father’s clock precisely.
