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From Heaven With Love
So anxious were they about this that they urged Christ to go
to Jerusalem. “Depart hence,” they said, “and go unto Judea, that
Thy disciples also may see the works that Thou doest. For there is
no man that doeth anything in secret, and he himself seeketh to be
known openly. If Thou do these things, show Thyself to the world.”
If He knew He was the Messiah, why this strange reserve? Why not
go boldly to Jerusalem and perform the wonderful works reported
of Him in Galilee? Do not hide in secluded provinces, they said.
Present yourself at the capital, win the support of the priests and
rulers, and establish the new kingdom.
Selfish Motives Exposed
These brothers of Jesus reasoned from the selfish motive of those
ambitious for display. “Then Jesus said to them, My time is not yet
come: but your time is always ready. The world cannot hate you;
but Me it hateth because I testify of it, that the works thereof are
evil. Go ye up unto this feast: I go not up yet unto this feast; for My
time is not yet full come. When He had said these words unto them,
He abode still in Galilee.” His brothers had spoken to Him in a tone
of authority. He cast their rebuke back to them, classing them not
with His self-denying disciples but with the world. The world does
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not hate those who are like it in spirit; it loves them as its own.
Christ was not to be presumptuous, not to rush into danger, not
to hasten a crisis. He knew that He was to receive the world’s hatred;
He knew that His work would result in His death; but to expose
Himself prematurely would not be the will of His Father.
Many from all parts of the world had come to the Feast of Taber-
nacles in the hope of seeing Christ. The Pharisees and rulers looked
for Him, hoping for an opportunity to condemn Him. They anxiously
inquired, “Where is He?” but no one knew. None dared acknowl-
edge Him as the Messiah, but everywhere there was quiet, earnest
discussion concerning Him. Many defended Him as one sent from
God, while others denounced Him as a deceiver.
Meanwhile Jesus quietly arrived at Jerusalem by an unfrequented
route. Had He joined the caravans, public attention would have been
attracted to Him, and a popular demonstration would have aroused
the authorities against Him.