Jesus and His Brothers

Scripture: John 7:1-9  (Click link for scripture in Bible Gateway)

1 After this, Jesus traveled around Galilee. He wanted to stay out of Judea, where the Jewish leaders were plotting his death. 2 But soon it was time for the Jewish Festival of Shelters, 3 and Jesus’ brothers said to him, “Leave here and go to Judea, where your followers can see your miracles! 4 You can’t become famous if you hide like this! If you can do such wonderful things, show yourself to the world!” 5 For even his brothers didn’t believe in him. 6 Jesus replied, “Now is not the right time for me to go, but you can go anytime. 7 The world can’t hate you, but it does hate me because I accuse it of doing evil. 8 You go on. I’m not going to this festival, because my time has not yet come.” 9 After saying these things, Jesus remained in Galilee. (John 7:1–9 NLT)

It was becoming increasingly dangerous for Jesus to be in Jerusalem because of the opposition of the Jewish leaders. We noticed as we read through Matthew’s Gospel that as Jesus neared the end of his nearly three and a half years of public ministry, the attitude of the Jewish leaders hardened against him. They went from arguing with him over his teaching and his doctrine, to making plans to kill him, because he had become a danger to their precious status quo. Jesus knew his work wasn’t finished yet, so he stayed away from Jerusalem at times and taught and healed in other parts of the country.

Even his brothers didn’t believe in him. (See Matt 12:46; Mark 6:3; Acts 1:14). At times his brothers thought Jesus was crazy, and they, along with others in Nazareth didn’t believe that a “local boy” could actually be the Messiah. After the Resurrection, his brothers did believe and one of his brothers, James, became the presiding elder of the church in Jerusalem (Acts 15:13). Here’s a lesson for us! People can change!

Jesus’ brothers ridiculed him and dared him to go to Jerusalem to the Feast. He told them, “Now is not the right time for me to go. But you can go anytime.” People who are living without purpose can pretty much do what they want, when they want, often with little impact. When you’re living according to God’s purpose, there’s not only a right thing to do, but there’s a right time and a right way to do it!

Prayer:

Father, Please help me not to write other people off just because they disagree with me or even oppose me. I want to be able to see what you see in people, and not react defensively or get hurt or angry when they don’t understand. May I be sensitive and aware of your timing for the things you lead me to do. Thanks for the lesson! Amen.