In Due Time

Jesus of Nazareth was born to die as the Sacrifice for all of humanity. But not at just any time, or by any means. He was to die at Passover, as the Lamb of God, in the "middle of the week," literally (Christ was crucified on a Wednesday - see Sun Worship), but also in the middle of an average lifetime (then) and in the middle of His ministry (which will be completed after His return: "^4:2 And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem" Micah 4:2 KJV). Until then, although many sought to kill Him, even right from His physical birth by Herod, He was protected by angels. In due time, they were commanded to allow Him to be killed - or even to stop it, according to Christ's word.

"^26:53 Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? ^26:54 But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?" (Matthew 26:53-54 KJV)

"Is not this he, whom they seek to kill?"

Jesus' physical life was threatened right from the start; He even left His hometown of Nazareth because the people there tried to kill Him for preaching the Truth: "^4:28 And all they in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath, ^4:29 And rose up, and thrust him out of the city, and led him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong. ^4:30 But he passing through the midst of them went his way, ^4:31 And came down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and taught them on the sabbath days" (Luke 4:28-31 KJV). It wasn't just Nazareth, it was almost everywhere - but no one could harm Him until due time.

"^7:25 Then said some of them of Jerusalem, Is not this he, whom they seek to kill? ^7:26 But, lo, he speaketh boldly, and they say nothing unto him. Do the rulers know indeed that this is the very Christ? ^7:27 Howbeit we know this man whence he is: but when Christ cometh, no man knoweth whence he is.

^7:28 Then cried Jesus in the temple as he taught, saying, Ye both know me, and ye know whence I am: and I am not come of myself, but he that sent me is true, whom ye know not. ^7:29 But I know him: for I am from him, and he hath sent me.

^7:30 Then they sought to take him: but no man laid hands on him, because his hour was not yet come. ^7:31 And many of the people believed on him, and said, When Christ cometh, will he do more miracles than these which this man hath done?

^7:32 The Pharisees heard that the people murmured such things concerning him; and the Pharisees and the chief priests sent officers to take him.

^7:33 Then said Jesus unto them, Yet a little while am I with you, and then I go unto him that sent me. ^7:34 Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come.

^7:35 Then said the Jews among themselves, Whither will he go, that we shall not find him? will he go unto the dispersed among the Gentiles, and teach the Gentiles? ^7:36 What manner of saying is this that he said, Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come?" (John 7:25-36 KJV)

Even during the Feast of Tabernacles, that Christ always observed (the whole world will as well after His return, or face His wrath: "... the punishment of all nations that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles" Zechariah 14:19 KJV), people sought to kill Him, but were unable i.e. "And some of them would have taken him; but no man laid hands on him."

"^7:37 In the last day, that great day of the feast [i.e. Christ's Eighth Day], Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. ^7:38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. ^7:39 But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for The Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified (see When Their Eyes Were Opened and The Cure For The Carnal Mind).

^7:40 Many of the people therefore, when they heard this saying, said, Of a truth this is the Prophet [see Prophets].

^7:41 Others said, This is the Christ.

But some said, Shall Christ come out of Galilee? ^7:42 Hath not the scripture said, That Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was? ^7:43 So there was a division among the people because of him. ^7:44 And some of them would have taken him; but no man laid hands on him." (John 7:37-44 KJV)

Fact Finder: The Christ had to die in a specific way. Why?
See Why Blood?

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