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Gospel: John 7: 1-2, 10, 25-30
Jesus moved about within Galilee;
he did not wish to travel in Judea,
because the Jews were trying to kill him.
But the Jewish feast of Tabernacles was near.
But when his brothers had gone up to the feast,
he himself also went up, not openly but as it were in secret.
Some of the inhabitants of Jerusalem said,
“Is he not the one they are trying to kill?
And look, he is speaking openly and they say nothing to him.
Could the authorities have realized that he is the Christ?
But we know where he is from.
When the Christ comes, no one will know where he is from.”
So Jesus cried out in the temple area as he was teaching and said,
“You know me and also know where I am from.
Yet I did not come on my own,
but the one who sent me, whom you do not know, is true.
I know him, because I am from him, and he sent me.”
So they tried to arrest him,
but no one laid a hand upon him,
because his hour had not yet come.
The Gospel of the Lord.
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“No one laid a hand on him because his hour had not come” (John 7:30).
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Throughout John’s Gospel, Jesus makes constant reference to his “hour.”
We first hear him speak about it at the wedding at Cana, when Jesus turns 150 gallons of water into wine at the prompting of Mary.
We hear further reference of his “hour” in today’s Gospel. The religious authorities are collapsing in on him, plotting to kill Jesus, but they cannot do so yet because his “hour” has not come.
Everything that Jesus does throughout his ministry, every sermon he preaches, every miracle he performs is somehow inspired by this “hour.”
So, what is this “hour” he is so concerned about?
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The “hour” of his crucifixion, death, and resurrection. As he says on the night he’s arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane, “for this hour have I come” (John 12:27).
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In two weeks from today, you and I will journey with Jesus into the Garden of Gethsemane, through his arrest, trial, and crucifixion, and to the empty tomb on Easter Sunday.
He prepared his whole life for this event, just as you and I should be preparing ourselves spiritually this Lent.
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So, how’s it going? Have we had a fruitful Lent thus far? Have we suffered with Jesus? Have we served him in our neighbor? Have we prepared our hearts for the scandal of the Cross?
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There’s only two weeks left until Good Friday. Jesus will embrace his “hour” with incredible courage, knowing that his death leads to his resurrection.
Make every effort to remain by his side. For his resurrection promises your own.
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Image credits: (1) Things New and Old (2) Tell the Lord thank you (3) The Gospel Coalition