Devo, John

Was Jesus Lying?

Was Jesus Lying?

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You go up to the feast. I am not going up to this feast, for my time has not yet fully come.” After saying this, he remained in Galilee. But after his brothers had gone up to the feast, then he also went up, not publicly but in private. — John 7:8-10

These three verses present an interesting question. It is this. Is Jesus lying? Is he telling a lie to protect himself? And the answer to that has to be no. All he is doing is not conceding to their malicious, selfish, and worldly plans. He knows there is a right time to go. It is just not with them. And he will go and reveal himself at the right time so it doesn't impede the forward progress of his ministry needs to be done.

Jesus is modeling for us that there is a right way and a right time to do God's work. He knew the best time would not be at the beginning of the feast, and he was not about to reveal this to anyone who wanted to do him harm, even his own family.

Ministry requires us to be sensitive to both our timing and our approach. There is a timing and approach that produces the best results. This is true in marriage. It is true in work relationships. It is true in mentorship. It is true in parenting. And if you want your ministry to produce godly results, you need to be sensitive to this. There are times to be direct and prophetic. There are times to be indirect and shepherd. But you have to match the call to the context so the crowd will hear the call.

So today, when God calls you to speak into a context, be sensitive so that those you want to listen will respond to the call.

ASK THIS: Where and when do you need to be more sensitive today?

DO THIS: Use the best approach and timing.

PRAY THIS: God, I need your Spirit to give me direction to say what I believe you want me to say.

PLAY THIS: God With Us.

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6 thoughts on “Was Jesus Lying?”

  1. Greg says:

    Thank you for addressing these verses in the way you did. It has troubled me that Jesus contradicted Himself in these verses. Since Jesus never sinned we know there has to be an explanation for this. Timing is an aspect I had not necessarily considered. I had thought of the hypostatic union and perhaps His going as part of His divine person.
    Thank you for your ministry Vince!

  2. gonzalo says:

    I agree we need to me more sensitive and have the right approach and timing in so many different areas… I know I personally need to be more sensitive in my marriage, in the two small groups I facilitate (lead), and those I share my faith with that are not believers as of now…
    Father God, help to be sensitive and have the right approach and perfect timing by your spirit to do and be the man you have created me to be for your kingdom, in Jesus name, amen.

  3. David Josker says:

    God, I always need your Spirit to give me direction to say what I believe you want me to say. Thank you Lord for always being there.
    Amen

  4. Sheldon says:

    Vince I truly enjoyed the devotion today. I sometime disagree with my son sharply with his approach in leadership in business.” Leadership requires us to be sensitive to both our timing and approach. There is a timing and approach that produces the best result”. Thanks again so rightly said.

    • hank kunel says:

      as a 62 year old biz owner , from just a financial aspect i can say that anything other than the right timing and approach costs you money at the end of the day..and ofcourse ,the other aspects discussed..

  5. Ted Bichsel says:

    This is so timely “But you have to match the call to the context so the crowd will hear the “ it is really a sobering moment when you have to wait for Gods perfect timing to be able really be used by the Lord and not just be a “ clanging gong “
    void of His love, compassion and purpose.
    thanks my friend

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