10 But when His brothers had gone up, then He also went up to the feast, not openly, but as it were in secret.
John 7:10-8:59 covers the period of the Feast of Tabernacles.
It is patently clear that the ministry of Jesus was having effect; there was much talk of Him at the feast, ranging from hostility to support of Him.
10 But when His brothers had gone up, then He also went up to the feast,
Jesus’ brothers first went to the Feast of Tabernacles in a caravan, then Jesus followed later in a smaller group. He did not return again to Galilee until after His resurrection.
not openly,
Jesus did not want to go public at the feast. He went by less-traveled roads and with a small group. They delayed their travel so that the roads were not as busy as at the start of the feast.
but as it were in secret.
This was not the appropriate time for Jesus to fully reveal Himself. He did not act in secrecy because He was afraid or sneaky, but He made His decisions out of the will of God. It was not yet time for Jesus to completely manifest His Messiahship. The time for the cross was still six months ahead.
PRINCIPLE:
Discretion is the best side of wisdom.
APPLICATION:
There are times when the majority thinks leadership should go in one way. However, the majority opinion may not be right. It takes discernment to distinguish between prevailing opinion and a right decision.
Family advice can be powerful. We want to please those closest to us, yet it takes discretion to determine whether opinion of people dear to us is right.
