Now is not the time for that
Then He strictly warned them that they should tell no one about Him. Mark 8:30
Have you ever been to the symphony and listened to the beautiful flow of many instruments making music together in perfect harmony? How soothing it can be when they are all in sync and following the musical plan intently. If you look closely at the musicians, you will notice during certain parts some of the instruments are not play at all, but they still watch the conductor and follow the sheet music to know exactly the right time to begin. When they pick up and begin to play the instrument at just the right moment to add their part into the concerto, oh how sweet it is to hear! If someone misses a note or comes in at the wrong time, it is more than obvious, it is disruptive and chaotic.
In today’s reading, we read a discussion between Jesus and His disciples about what the people are saying about Him. What a contrasting stand Jesus takes at this point in His ministry. He asked the disciples what people are saying about Him and who do the think He is? The disciples answer with a lot of different people: John the Baptist, Elijah or one of the prophets. Then Jesus turned the questing to them. “But, who do you say that I am?” At this prompt, Peter spoke up boldly “You are the Christ (Messiah).”
The next statement is the contrasting part. Jesus firmly told His disciples at that time don’t tell anyone about Him. At the end of His time in this world, He told His disciples and many others to go tell the whole world about Him. What was the difference if they told them at this point of the ministry or later?
If you continue reading the following verses, you will see that Jesus unpacked the reason and told them plainly and openly (See vs. 32) that the elders, chief priests and scribes are going to kill Him and after three days He is going to raise up from the dead. His concern was the timing. There was a plan, and He was following it step by step, day by day. The disciples, on the other hand, were following Him, but didn’t necessarily know the plan or at least they didn’t understand it. This was their direction for that time. Don’t be telling everyone what you know until the timing is right. Now is not the time for that.
If I think about it, I can easily understand the point about timing. Many times, in my life I know the Lord dropped something into my heart. Whether it was a dream for the future or even a kind and encouraging word for a friend or stranger. If I would have run with it at the time, the results would not have been productive because He was just letting me know it was coming up some day, but not necessarily right now. How did I know it wasn’t the time right now? Mostly because in order to make it happen, I would have to force it or make it happen in my own strength and way. When I pray about it and wait for the open door that He provides, then I know it is time to move. He even reminds me about it when it is happening if I forget.
Timing is crucial to the plan of God. Rushing to get things moving or pushing to make things happen is not His plan. There are many examples in scripture to proof this out. The way to execute God’s plans in your life is to watch the director, follow closely along in the written music (God’s Word) and begin to play at the appointed time, such a time as this.
Today I want to encourage you to press in. Listen to the prompts and nudging the Holy Spirit is giving you. Write down the thing He is dropping into your spirit. Pray over these things daily and watch for the open door to walk through when the right time comes. Play your part perfectly in God’s great orchestra and let Him pull you into the melody at just the right timing.
Today’s scripture reading: Mark 8:27-33
27 Now Jesus and His disciples went out to the towns of Caesarea Philippi; and on the road He asked His disciples, saying to them, “Who do men say that I am?”
28 So they answered, “John the Baptist; but some say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.”
29 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered and said to Him, “You are the Christ.”
30 Then He strictly warned them that they should tell no one about Him.
31 And He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.
32 He spoke this word openly. Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him.
33 But when He had turned around and looked at His disciples, He rebuked Peter, saying, “Get behind Me, Satan! For you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.”
The Daily Dose 