Not for You to Know

One of the basic human needs, according to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, is the need for certainty. As human beings, we naturally pursue safety. From the time of the earliest civilisations to our modern, sophisticated world, we have tried to protect ourselves from the unexpected. We do not like surprises, so we seek certainty as much as possible.

This may have been what was at work in the minds of Jesus’ disciples. They had walked with Him for three and a half years. The Messiah they expected was one who would overthrow the Roman Empire and restore the kingdom to Israel. At this point, Jesus had died and risen again. It probably felt as though everything was finally coming together. Perhaps now was the time to take back control from Rome.

Jesus’ reply was instructive: “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority.” His words carried a gentle rebuke, but they also created a teaching moment. There were things the disciples were not meant to know. Instead of giving them a timetable, Jesus redirected their attention to what mattered: “You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses.”