ALL THREE SYNOPTIC GOSPELS record Jesus’ Sabbath healing in the synagogue of the man with the shriveled hand. (cf. Matt. 12:9-14, Mark 3:1-6, Luke 6:6-11) And in all three gospels, the result of this is that the Pharisees begin the plot to kill him. He withdraws to another place, and heals all who come to him, warning “them not to tell others about him.” (Matt. 12:15-16) Only in Matthew is this followed by a statement of prophetic fulfillment and promise, a quote from Isaiah. “Here is my servant whom I have chosen, I will put my Spirit on him, and he will proclaim justice. He will not quarrel or cry out; a bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. In his name the nations will put their hope.” (Matt. 12:18-21)
In at least six other places in the N.T., Jesus commands that his miraculous works of healing be held secret, though the recipients of this grace seldom could be constrained afterwards. (cf. Matt. 8:3, 9:30, Mark 5:43, 7:36, 8:30, Luke 4:41) There are several elements that motivated Jesus in this. One is that he frequently needed time alone with God. “But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” (Luke 5:16) Another is to observe the orthodox requirements of the Levitical priesthood. “Go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.” (Matt. 8:4)
But certainly the most important issue is that it is not the right time that he be publicly exalted. In his very first public miracle, that of changing water into wine, his open disclaimer, made to his mother, is “My hour has not yet come.” (John 2:3) It is Solomon who said, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.” (Ecc. 3:1) In Jesus, God has intended a specific event that with a purpose and timing like no other in all of human history. That event begins with Crucifixion, and reaches its zenith in the Resurrection. It has been timed from before creation, and will take place at the Passover event in Jerusalem at the very end of Jesus’ earthly life.
We know from the scriptures that Jesus’ life was unique in time, and in timing. His birth, intended by God, was announced by angels and attended by the heavenly host—the army of the LORD. “The angel said to them, ‘This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.’ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God.” (Luke 2:10-13)
By the age of twelve Jesus knew of his mission. His parents found him at the temple in Jerusalem conversing with the priests. To their query, he responded “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” (Luke 2:49)
At the beginning of his unique ministry, Jesus said, “The time has come. The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” (Mark 1:15) When his earth-life ministry ends, and the Passover week begins, he says “My appointed time is near.” (Matt. 26:18) As the signal event draws near, Jesus says “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.” (John 12:23) On the night of the Last Supper, Jesus prays “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you.” (John 17:1) And at his imminent arrest that same night, Jesus says “Look, the hour has come, and the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners.” (Matt. 26:45) At the time of his death, his last words are “It is finished.” (John 19:29)
This is God’s timing, and Paul tells us what is finished: “When the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.” (Gal. 4:4-5) “You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.” (Rom. 5:6) He continues, “As God’s co-workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.” (2 Cor. 6:1-2)
We are all co-workers in the kingdom, and each of us bears the good news of Jesus’ resurrection, and in him, our own wherever we go. With the apostles, we carry an urgent and timely message: “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12) Jesus has given us each a testimony, and there are times to tell it, and to tell others “Stop doubting and believe.” (John 20:27)
There is no time like this moment.
Q. When is the last time I told someone about Jesus?
[post_title] => Timing is Everything
[post_excerpt] =>
ALL THREE SYNOPTIC GOSPELS record Jesus’ Sabbath healing in the synagogue of the man with the shriveled hand. (cf. Matt. 12:9-14, Mark 3:1-6, Luke 6:6-11) And in all three gospels, the result of this is that the Pharisees begin the plot to kill him. He withdraws to another place, and heals all who come to him, warning “them not to tell others about him.” (Matt. 12:15-16) Only in Matthew is this followed by a statement of prophetic fulfillment and promise, a quote from Isaiah. “Here is my servant whom I have chosen, I will put my Spirit on him, and he will proclaim justice. He will not quarrel or cry out; a bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. In his name the nations will put their hope.” (Matt. 12:18-21)
In at least six other places in the N.T., Jesus commands that his miraculous works of healing be held secret, though the recipients of this grace seldom could be constrained afterwards. (cf. Matt. 8:3, 9:30, Mark 5:43, 7:36, 8:30, Luke 4:41) There are several elements that motivated Jesus in this. One is that he frequently needed time alone with God. “But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” (Luke 5:16) Another is to observe the orthodox requirements of the Levitical priesthood. “Go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.” (Matt. 8:4)
But certainly the most important issue is that it is not the right time that he be publicly exalted. In his very first public miracle, that of changing water into wine, his open disclaimer, made to his mother, is “My hour has not yet come.” (John 2:3) It is Solomon who said, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.” (Ecc. 3:1) In Jesus, God has intended a specific event that with a purpose and timing like no other in all of human history. That event begins with Crucifixion, and reaches its zenith in the Resurrection. It has been timed from before creation, and will take place at the Passover event in Jerusalem at the very end of Jesus’ earthly life.
We know from the scriptures that Jesus’ life was unique in time, and in timing. His birth, intended by God, was announced by angels and attended by the heavenly host—the army of the LORD. “The angel said to them, ‘This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.’ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God.” (Luke 2:10-13)
By the age of twelve Jesus knew of his mission. His parents found him at the temple in Jerusalem conversing with the priests. To their query, he responded “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” (Luke 2:49)
At the beginning of his unique ministry, Jesus said, “The time has come. The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” (Mark 1:15) When his earth-life ministry ends, and the Passover week begins, he says “My appointed time is near.” (Matt. 26:18) As the signal event draws near, Jesus says “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.” (John 12:23) On the night of the Last Supper, Jesus prays “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you.” (John 17:1) And at his imminent arrest that same night, Jesus says “Look, the hour has come, and the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners.” (Matt. 26:45) At the time of his death, his last words are “It is finished.” (John 19:29)
This is God’s timing, and Paul tells us what is finished: “When the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.” (Gal. 4:4-5) “You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.” (Rom. 5:6) He continues, “As God’s co-workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.” (2 Cor. 6:1-2)
We are all co-workers in the kingdom, and each of us bears the good news of Jesus’ resurrection, and in him, our own wherever we go. With the apostles, we carry an urgent and timely message: “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12) Jesus has given us each a testimony, and there are times to tell it, and to tell others “Stop doubting and believe.” (John 20:27)
There is no time like this moment.
Q. When is the last time I told someone about Jesus?
ALL THREE SYNOPTIC GOSPELS record Jesus’ Sabbath healing in the synagogue of the man with the shriveled hand. (cf. Matt. 12:9-14, Mark 3:1-6, Luke 6:6-11) And in all three gospels, the result of this is that the Pharisees begin the plot to kill him. He withdraws to another place, and heals all who come to him, warning “them not to tell others about him.” (Matt. 12:15-16) Only in Matthew is this followed by a statement of prophetic fulfillment and promise, a quote from Isaiah. “Here is my servant whom I have chosen, I will put my Spirit on him, and he will proclaim justice. He will not quarrel or cry out; a bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. In his name the nations will put their hope.” (Matt. 12:18-21)
[created] => March 29, 2026
[author_id] => 3
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Mendocino Christian Fellowship Proving Grounds
Garden of demos & wonders<h2>Daily Devotional Demonstration – full width
ForMarch 29, 2026
Timing is Everything by Greg Holmes D.MIN
ALL THREE SYNOPTIC GOSPELS record Jesus’ Sabbath healing in the synagogue of the man with the shriveled hand. (cf. Matt. 12:9-14, Mark 3:1-6, Luke 6:6-11) And in all three gospels, the result of this is that the Pharisees begin the plot to kill him. He withdraws to another place, and heals all who come to him, warning “them not to tell others about him.” (Matt. 12:15-16) Only in Matthew is this followed by a statement of prophetic fulfillment and promise, a quote from Isaiah. “Here is my servant whom I have chosen, I will put my Spirit on him, and he will proclaim justice. He will not quarrel or cry out; a bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. In his name the nations will put their hope.” (Matt. 12:18-21)