04/01/2015 AN APPOINTED TIME
John 7:30 At this they tried to seize HIM, but no one laid a hand on HIM, because HIS time had not yet come.
Matthew 26:18 HE replied, “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, ‘THE TEACHER says: MY appointed time is near, I am going to celebrate the Passover with MY disciples at your house.’” So the disciples did as JESUS had directed them and prepared the Passover. (See also Luke 22:10-11; Mark 14:13-14) [New International Translation]
Summary
Matthew, Mark and Luke are called the synoptic gospels. They are called “synoptic” because they generally contain the same stories, often in the same sequence and sometimes even using the same wording. They parallel each other. There are many similarities, yet there are differences; however, they all seem to take the same point of view. “Synoptic” means “presenting or taking the same point of view.” See, www.freedictionary.com. The term synoptic comes from the Greek “syn” meaning “together,” and “optic,” meaning “seen.” See, www.wikipedia.com.
The passages of John 7:30 and Matthew 26:18 illustrate the fact that JESUS’ death on the cross was part of the Divine plan of GOD. It was not something that was accidental, unplanned or that just happened. Just as JESUS’ birth was foretold and predicted, so was HIS death. It was preordained. HIS life was not taken from HIM but rather HE gave HIS life. As the passage from John 7:30 show, even those who wanted to get rid of HIM, to seize HIM, could not, unless GOD willed it to be so. No one could touch HIM, until HIS appointed time. In Matthew 26:18, Jesus states that HIS “appointed time is near.” HE knew what was to happen. HE knew what was to come. HE chose to do the FATHER’s WILL. HIS life was not taken; rather, HE gave up HIS life freely, out of love.