One of the okay times is for strategic reasons in battle, to save yourself or others (the Jew in the Attic).
God told Moses to lie to pharaoh about the “Exodus”. He said to tell pharaoh it was for a three day worship festival.
And the pastor thought that while there is contention about the verse, he didn't think it was that outrageous that Jesus would lie for a strategic reason.:
John 7:8-10: [Jesus said:] You go to the festival. I am not going up to this festival, because my time has not yet fully come.” After he had said this, he stayed in Galilee. However, after his brothers had left for the festival, he went also, not publicly, but in secret.
And all sorts of deceit in the OT military battles.
John 7:8-10: [Jesus said:] You go to the festival. I am not going up to this festival, because my time has not yet fully come.” After he had said this, he stayed in Galilee. However, after his brothers had left for the festival, he went also, not publicly, but in secret.
If, and it's a huge if....Jesus lied....then He's not able to be our sacrifice as the lie would make Him a sinner. Your pastor is in error on his understanding of the passage.
Maybe HE just changed His mind.