Reflecting on John 7:1-13“After his brothers had left for the festival, he went also, not publicly, but in secret.” (John 7:10)
Why did Jesus say He wasn’t going, and then go anyway?
By not going He meant not going to publicly announce His arrival.
The brothers were challenging Him to publicly declare Himself.
To confont and stand up to the religious and political powers.
This was not the time for confronting the rulers, and not in that way.
The problem was that this is the kind of kingdom the people wanted.
They wanted a revolution, and they had their swords ready for a fight.
Yet Jesus is constantly challenging this idea, and staying hidden.
His was a mustard seed kingdom, or like leaven, at work in secret.
He was overcoming evil with humble gracious goodness, not with force.
As Jesus followers, we need to understand the power of working in secret.
To humbly, graciously bless people wherever we are, without fanfare.
We need not be loud and proud, we can change the world behind the scenes.
Though this feels weak and useless, it is the Jesus Way, and it works.
Jesus is still at work behind the scenes… am I?
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, the secret of the kingdom is that it is a secret. It seems small, weak and insignificant, but it is not. Help us not to trust in worldly schemes or political maneuvers, but in the humble way of our Servant King.