How do I follow God’s Plan? Part 2

“For even His brothers did not believe in Him.” John 7:5

A second way to follow God’s plan in addition to attending to those who are receptive (John 7:1), is to AVOID PRESUMPTUOUS RISKS (John 7:2-5). Why would the all-powerful Son of God, the Creator of the universe, stay away from Jerusalem to protect Himself from those who were seeking to kill Him (John 7:1)? Why doesn’t He just zap them and turn them into a heap of dust so everybody can know He is the Son of God? For Jesus to go to Jerusalem without the Father’s leading would have been an act of presumption, not faith.

There is a fine line between faith and presumption. One meets with God’s approval and the other prompts His judgment. The word “presumption” conveys the idea of running ahead and taking over. When we move by our own initiative – when we are not living in true submission and dependence upon the Lord – but simply following our own will or inclinations, we will not have the same protection and authority that is ours when we are walking in simple obedience to God.

“Now the Jews’ Feast of Tabernacles was at hand.” (John 7:2). This great feast of Israel occurred in early October and it was a big deal. Originally it was seven days in length, but later one more day was added (called in this chapter “the great day of the feast”). During this time, the inhabitants of Jerusalem built booths out of tree limbs which they thatched over, and families actually moved out of their houses and lived in them. This was to remind them that for forty years their ancestors wandered as pilgrims in the wilderness and lived in tents. The Feast of Tabernacles also looks ahead prophetically to Israel’s kingdom joy when the nation is regathered in the land (Zechariah 14:16).

Think about how we celebrate Christmas in America. For months we prepare. We buy gifts. We make travel plans. We gather food for the big Christmas day meal. We live in anticipation of the time off from work and the quality time with family and friends. Just as we prepare for Christmas, these first century Jews lived for the annual Feast of Tabernacles.

That’s why Jesus’ half-brothers come to Him with some advice: “His brothers therefore said to Him, ‘Depart from here and go into Judea, that Your disciples also may see the works that You are doing.’ ” (John 7:3). On the surface, it looks like they want Jesus to capitalize on the large number of people at the feast and acquire some publicity. “Get out of the sticks, Brother! Head south to where all Your disciples are who left You. Maybe You can win them back with Your miracles!”

His brothers continue, For no one does anything in secret while he himself seeks to be known openly.” (John 7:4a). “Jesus, You are being unrealistic. If you want to be recognized as the Messiah, You have got to move out into the open where people can see what You are doing. You need to change your plan if You want to reach the nation.” If You do these things, show Yourself to the world.” (John 7:4b). “Don’t waste Your gifts, Jesus. You need to show Your miraculous powers to the whole world! So go down to Jerusalem and strut Your stuff.”

At first, this sounds reasonable, doesn’t it? There is almost a systematic, businesslike way to it. But the problem is: this was their plan, not God’s plan. John lets us in on the truth here. “For even His brothers did not believe in Him.” (John 7:5). Isn’t this amazing!? Jesus’ brothers lived with Him all those years and yet, they did not realize His uniqueness. They did not believe He was the promised Messiah-God.

A comic once said there are three ways you can tell that Jesus was Jewish: First, because He worked for His father. Second, because He stayed home until He was thirty. And, third, because His mother thought he was God!

That may have been true of His mother, but it was not true of His brothers. They did not see Him as any different than themselves. While His miraculous powers must have amazed and astonished them, and they could not figure Him out, yet they did not believe His claims to be the Messiah. Why? To show the readers of John and us that family connections don’t save. Being born or raised in a Christian home does not make you a Christian any more than being born in a soccer stadium makes you a soccer player. Your grandparents’ good works cannot save you because they are all stained with sin (Isaiah 64:6). Family traditions do not get us to heaven.

Only Jesus Christ can get us to heaven (Acts 4:10-12). Every person on earth is invited to make the decision to believe or trust in Christ alone to save himor her for an eternity in hell (Acts 16:31; Ephesians 2:8-9). This may offend your family, but what is better – to offend your family who can only destroy your physical body or to offend your God “who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” forever (cf. Matthew 10:28)!?!

So this ends up being a real challenge for Jesus. His brothers’ advice was rooted in rejection and unbelief. Jesus’ brothers knew He would go to the feast – all Jewish males were required to do so. The Jews were plotting to kill Christ and His brothers supported this. But God had not told Jesus to go to Jerusalem, so Jesus didn’t take it upon Himself to go.

As Christians, we need to be very careful about the advice we receive from non-Christians. The non-believer does not have a biblical framework from which to guide their decision-making.  They are not sensitive to what pleases God, so it is very important that we examine their advice in light of what God’s Word says.

Jesus’ half-brothers were religious people. Their presumption sounded so spiritual. Likewise, religious people today can talk the talk. But in reality, they are not walking the walk. The devil was very religious when he was tempting Jesus. He talked the talk – he quoted scripture. But his suggestion was marked by two qualities: pride and self-interest. Anytime a person is motivated by pride and self-interest there’s a good chance he or she is operating in the realm of presumption, not faith.

If God tells you to go to the dark side of the city and share the gospel, then go. But get His authorization before you go. Don’t just go on your own initiative. We are called to go but we still need to submit ourselves to the Holy Spirit as to exactly how, where, and when we are to do that.

In 1912 the “unsinkable” Titanic was launched in Liverpool, England. On board was a family, which was unexpectedly transferred to the Titanic for its maiden voyage. The god-fearing mother of seven-year-old Eva Hart saw the pride and disregard for normal safety measures exercised by the ship’s captain. After reading the shipbuilders’ claims, Mrs. Hart believed – and so stated – “This is flying in the face of God!”

Because of Mrs. Hart’s spiritual convictions and concern for the presumption of the ship’s leadership, throughout the voyage she stayed awake at night aware of the pending disaster. Because of her sensitivity to God’s warning she was able to move her family to an upper deck almost immediately after the ship collided with the unseen iceberg. Her family did not join the 1,500 others who died that night.

Jesus stayed in Galilee because it would have been presumptuous to go to Jerusalem without the Father’s leading. Likewise, we are to follow God’s plan by avoiding presumptuous risks. Seek the Holy Spirit’s leading before making a final decision.

Prayer: Father God, how desperately I need to depend on You for guidance and wisdom.The world advises me to make decisions based on what is popular and best for me without paying attention to what pleases You. Forgive me for the many presumptuous decisions I have made out of pride and self-interest. Lord God, I want to submit to Your leading, not my own or my family’s or my friends’. Thank You for reminding me that family relations are not what save me from my sins and give me everlasting life. Only You are able to rescue me from hell and give me everlasting life the moment I believe in You alone. Please empower me to boldly share this message of hope to a lost and dying world. In the name of my Lord and my God, Jesus Christ. Amen.