Timing
And He strictly warned and commanded them to tell this to no one. Luke 9:21
I recently went to the symphony where I listened to the beautiful flow of many instruments making music together in perfect harmony? How soothing it was when all the musician played in sync, following the musical plan flawlessly. As I watched closely, I noticed during certain parts of the performance, some of the instruments were not playing at all, but they still watched the maestro and sheet music to know exactly the right time to begin or join in. When they picked up and began to play their instrument at just the right moment to add their part into the concerto, oh how sweet it was to hear! I considered that if someone missed a note or began playing at the wrong time, it would be more than obvious, it would have been disruptive and chaotic.
In today’s reading, there is 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 they think He is? The disciples had many different answers: John the Baptist, Elijah or one of the prophets. Then Jesus turned the question to them. “But who do you say that I am?” At that 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 that 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. 22) 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. Jesus was saying: 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 something happen is not His plan. There are many examples in scripture that prove this out. The way to execute God’s plans in your life is to watch the maestro, follow closely along to the written notes (God’s Word) and begin to play at the appointed time as directed.
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: Luke 9:18-22
18 And it happened, as He was alone praying, that His disciples joined Him, and He asked them, saying, “Who do the crowds say that I am?”
19 So they answered and said, “John the Baptist, but some say Elijah; and others say that one of the old prophets has risen again.”
20 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered and said, “The Christ of God.”
21 And He strictly warned and commanded them to tell this to no one,
22 saying, “The Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day.”
The Daily Dose 