The Right Time

DEVOTION

THE GOSPEL OF JOHN

THE RIGHT TIME

John 4:1-3

4:1 The Pharisees heard that Jesus was gaining and baptizing more disciples than John, 2 although in fact it was not Jesus who baptized, but his disciples. 3 When the Lord learned of this, he left Judea and went back once more to Galilee.

NIV

This is what seems to be a historical narrative in the life of Christ, yet could there be a lesson for us as well. We know that all scripture is profitable for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so there must be a lesson of some sort for us here. We know the Pharisees were not happy with John who was baptizing without their permission as they asked him by what authority is he baptizing. We have to assume they were far more irritated with Jesus as he; or rather his disciples were baptizing even more people than John. How did Jesus learn of the Pharisees knowledge of his activities? Could it be because he knew all things, being God? Could it be someone told him about what the Pharisees were up to? Either way, he decided to leave the area because if the Pharisees were already plotting to do away with him, to kill him, and his time was not yet right for being killed, he withdrew. So what is our lesson? Jesus did not stand down from a fight, he did not back away from a confrontation with anyone, but timing was all important. Jesus had other things to do for the kingdom before he would allow them to put him to death. Yes he came for that purpose, but he also had to make sure his disciples were ready for the task after his death. Our lives are more than facing confrontations with unbelievers trying to convince them to get saved. Our lives are more than debating denominational differences trying to convince others of their error in doctrine. There may be a time when we must face opposite head on, but there also may be situations when we should make a timely withdrawal as Jesus did, so we can go about doing more for the kingdom of God in another way, in another place. Yes we should speak up in order to be heard, but timing is, as we see here, important. There is a time to confront and a time to withdraw. We should be aware of the right time for each.