The Right Time

Matthew 16:20 Then he warned his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Christ.
 
ONE substance that defines the Kingdom of God is time. There was a time God appointed to establish the Kingdom of God on earth. And, of course, there is a time appointed for the Kingdom to become a timeless reign over God’s people. Jesus’ directive to his disciples speaks of both.
   Yes, now is our time to continually be purposeful to be Jesus’ voice. For example, Paul wrote in Romans 10:14 “How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?” Also Jesus later commanded these same disciples, “You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8 (b)) And he certainly came to declare his deity to Israel.
   Why, then, at this time did Jesus silence his disciples regarding his true identity? The best answer comes in John 6:15 Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself. This is just after Jesus fed the 5,000: John 6:14 After the people saw the miraculous sign that Jesus did, they began to say, “Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world.” Despite many confrontational conversations with the ruling Jews, Jesus was developing a very popular profile among the general population. And why not? He healed people! He was sovereign over demons, nature and food. His authoritative teachings stirred hearts. There was a great hope and growing evidence among the Jewish population in Galilee that Jesus was the Messiah!
   Imagine that! Imagine you are under the weight of religious, economic and political oppression. (Many of you live under that weight.) But then it seems a glimmer of light is becoming brighter and brighter. The Messiah has come! Let’s make him King! That’s who they hoped for and who they expected.
   Jesus, of course, knew his kingship did not require earthly exaltation but demanded his gross humiliation. The King of Glory was not yet ready to fully display the light of His glory. Remember, time is an essential Kingdom substance. Jesus was on the Father’s timetable, and he waited. Jesus submitted to his Father’s hour.