Humble Hero

Selfish Motives Exposed

These brothers of Jesus reasoned from the selfish motive of people who long for attention. “Then Jesus said to them, ‘My time has not yet come, but your time is always ready. The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me because I testify of it that its works are evil. You go up to this feast. I am not yet going up to this feast, for My time is not yet fully come.’ When He had said these things to them, He remained in Galilee.” His brothers had spoken to Him in a tone of authority. HH 208.5

He threw their rebuke back to them, not classing them with His self-denying disciples but with the world. The world does not hate those who are like it in spirit. It loves them as its own. HH 209.1

Christ was not to be presumptuous, not to rush into danger, not to hurry a crisis. He knew that He was going to receive the world’s hatred; He knew that His work would result in His death. But to expose Himself to danger prematurely would not be the will of His Father. HH 209.2

Many from all parts of the world had come to the Feast of Tabernacles in hopes 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 acknowledge 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. HH 209.3

Meanwhile Jesus quietly arrived at Jerusalem by a less-traveled route. If He had joined the caravans, this would have attracted public attention to Him, and a popular demonstration would have stirred up the authorities against Him. HH 209.4

In the middle of the feast, He entered the temple courtyard in the presence of the crowds. People had been saying that He did not dare to place Himself in the power of the priests and rulers. Everyone was surprised at His presence. Every voice was hushed. HH 209.5

Standing there as the center of attraction to that vast assembly, Jesus spoke to them as no man had ever done. His words showed that He knew the sacrificial service and the teachings of the prophets far better than the priests and rabbis did. As one who saw the Unseen, He spoke with positive authority about both earthly and heavenly things. As at Capernaum, the people were astonished at His teaching, “for His word was with authority.” Luke 4:32. He made every possible effort to bring them to repentance. He did not want to be rejected and murdered by His own nation if He could save them from the guilt of such a deed. HH 209.6

The question passed from one to another, “How does this Man know letters, having never studied?” Both Jesus and John the Baptist had been described as ignorant because they had not received training in the rabbinical schools. Those who heard them were astonished at their knowledge of the Scriptures, but the God of heaven was their teacher. As Jesus spoke in the temple courtyard, His words held the people spellbound. Those who were most violent against Him felt powerless to do Him harm. HH 209.7