John 7:14

The Feast is half over by the time Jesus decides to go up to the Temple courts and begin to teach.  John 7:14 EFP 

So many questions!  What does Jesus do for the days prior to his decision to go to the Temple courts to teach?  Where is he?  Who is he with?  Does he have to fight the urge to go do what He loves to do—share the news of the kingdom with the people?  Does his family know when he arrives in town?  Why wait?  Why wait until the moment he finally decides to go? 

I don’t believe anything Jesus does is done without thought or without being led to do it by His Father in heaven.  We already know from the previous texts that Jesus is conflicted about visiting the city due to the dangers lurking there.  But he also knows there are people there that are thirsting to hear the Good News!  Jesus must have been doing some serious praying during the days leading up to his appearance in the Temple.  This is a pivotal time in his ministry.  When facing one of those decisions, he spends some significant time talking about it with God.  When the moment comes to take a step into the unknown, I can also take that step in confidence, not because I know the results beforehand, but because I know my Father is with me to see me through.  I am not leading myself, He is leading me.