My Time Has Not Yet Fully Come
John 7:1-13
October 30, 2022
Abraham Hong
Sermon Script
Today’s passage is simple. It shows us how Jesus was rejected by the Jews. People muttered untrue words about him. People did not believe in him. And people were seeking to kill him.
This really happened. This is so sad. This is so wicked. And we ought to have a sense of thankfulness and awe before our Lord Jesus Christ with all of this. Because this was his humiliation. Jesus is God. Jesus is the King of all kings. Yet the Jews spoke of him and thought of him and treated him in very bad ways. And overall they hated him. This is so sad. This is so wicked. But Jesus received all of this in order to save us. He suffered rejection. He endured mockery and disrespect. It is shocking to think that this was how creatures were before the Creator. But Jesus humbled himself for our salvation. This was his humiliation. This was the plan.
Jesus’ brothers suggested that Jesus go to Judea and show himself to the world. They wanted some earthly good to happen. Perhaps Jesus would become famous on the earth. Perhaps Jesus could become the earthly king for the Jews. Perhaps Jesus could make the Jews great. That was their plan.
But that was not Jesus’ plan. That was not the Father’s plan. That was not the plan for our salvation.
And so Jesus said these important words to his brothers: “My time has not yet come….” It was not his time for glory. Jesus’ glory would come after his death and resurrection. That would be his exaltation. But for Jesus, there is no exaltation without humiliation. There is no salvation without rejection and suffering and death on the cross. Jesus had to suffer and die for our sins. This was the plan.
Thanks be to Jesus for all that he went through for our salvation. The world hated him because he testified about it that its works were evil.
Today’s passage is so sad. Especially because it happened during the time of the Feast of Booths.
Every fall season, at around September or October, the Jews celebrate the Feast of Booths. They would build booths and live in them for a week. The booths were temporary shelters - kind of like tents for camping. And when the Jews celebrated this, they were supposed to do two things.
First, the Jews were supposed to remember their time in the wilderness. The time after God delivered them from slavery in Egypt. The time before God brought them to the Promised Land. The time when they actually lived in tents in the wilderness far away from home and survived with God’s provision and protection. This was the first thing that the Jews were supposed to do when they celebrated the Feast of Booths.
But the second thing, and the far more important thing, that the Jews were supposed to do in the Feast of Booths was this. The Jews were supposed to be aware of the spiritual wilderness that they were in. They were supposed to look forward to the ultimate Promised Land of the new heavens and new earth. And they were supposed to wait for the promised savior who would save sinners and lead them home.
Jesus brothers and the Jews in Judea were celebrating the Feast of Booths. But sadly, they didn’t understand that Jesus was the fulfillment of the Feast of Booths. The Feast of Booths ultimately pointed forward to him. The Feast of Booths was ultimately about him. But they lost sight of this amazing gospel truth. That Jesus was the one, the only one, who can save them from their sins and lead them home.
There are a few applications that we can take away from today’s passage and do in our lives now.
First, know that people reject Jesus. Do not be surprised by this. People today will say untrue things about Jesus. People will not believe in Jesus. And people will try to harm Christians and churches because of Jesus. Rejection is everywhere. And so you need to be aware of it and ready for it. You should even expect it. Rejection.
But secondly, when you are rejected, remember that you are united with Christ and understand that just as there was no exaltation without humiliation for Jesus, and just as there was no Promised Land without wilderness, there is no crown without cross for us. You will receive the crown of life. But not now. Your time has not yet fully come. Now is the time for you to share in the sufferings of Christ (Philippians 3:10). Now is the time for you to deny yourself and take up your cross daily and follow Jesus (Luke 9:23). The time we live in now is an already-not-yet time. The war is already won. But the war is not yet over. Now is the time to be single-minded soldiers, rule-abiding athletes, and hard-working farmers (2 Timothy 2:1-7). This is the true and honest Christian life that is not talked about enough. When you are persecuted and rejected and hated because of Jesus, when you suffer for his name’s sake, that is because you are united with Christ.
And he knows and understands everything that you are going through right now. Because he tented with us and took on human flesh. Because he was and is fully human. Because he is with us. Praise the Lord.
Third and finally, let us be fully aware of the big picture and how our way of living, our mentality and approach to these last days, should be tent-like.
One of the best memories that I have from when I was a kid were all the times when my family went camping. I loved camping. And I enjoyed everything about it. Gathering sticks and building the fire. Eating fresh cooked meals on those picnic tables. Exploring nature all around. Looking up at night and seeing all the stars above.
But I especially remember our tents. I loved the idea of building our own little temporary home and I loved the feeling of having everything we need to survive even though we were far away from home.
Jesus is leading us to our final home: the kingdom of the new heavens and new earth. Right now, we are waiting and preparing for this. And we ought to live on this earth as if we were on a camping journey. We are to travel and pack light. We are not to get too comfortable and settle down. These are the last days. And we are sojourners in a wilderness who are looking forward to the ultimate Promised Land and seeing Jesus face to face. May you know your time.
Soli Deo Gloria