This presentation examines Jesus's characteristics, focusing on the idea of Jesus as our teacher. Jesus reveals who he is not only through his actions and words but also through what he doesn't do, particularly his intentional delays. In John 7:1-13, Jesus deliberately postpones his trip to the Feast of Booths in Judea because the Jews were actively seeking to kill him there. This seven-month period in Galilee was dedicated to intense teaching, training, and instruction for his 12 disciples about the kingdom of God. This process of discipleship involves gathering a crowd, teaching, discerning those who stay, and then investing in them through continued instruction.

Jesus's brothers, however, urged him to go to Judea publicly, believing he needed to perform more "works" to regain a following and improve their family's social standing. They prioritized spectacular displays over his teachings, essentially rejecting the significance of his words and, in doing so, aligning themselves with Satan's past temptations for Jesus to prove himself with signs. His brothers did not believe in him.

Jesus responded, stating, "My time has not yet come," indicating his adherence to his own divine timetable. He eventually went to the feast not publicly but privately, intentionally avoiding the fanfare his brothers desired, to fulfill his mission of teaching. This demonstrates that Jesus is never late or early; he arrives precisely when he means to, urging us to trust in his perfect timing.

The passage highlights two ways people are attracted to Jesus: by his works (miracles, entertainment) or his words (teaching). To embrace Jesus as our teacher means receiving his teaching to obtain eternal treasure, not merely seeking the benefits of his works without believing his words. This involves three key aspects:

• Receiving his teaching to gain the eternal treasure, understanding that salvation requires surrender and belief in his words.

• Trusting in his timing, recognizing that his delays are intentional and have a good, perfect purpose.

• Putting his teaching out in the open, overcoming the fear of man to openly share the goodness, grace, and mercy of Christ with others. Jesus's primary purpose was to teach and provide clarity, which he did by beginning to teach in the temple.