Sometimes encouragement comes in such simple and unexpected ways. John 7:5, for instance, is a verse easily overlooked, and not exactly included in the list of the 100 most encouraging Bible verses ever. But this plain, understated historical fact offered me great reassurance this week:
“For not even His brothers were believing in Him.”
His brothers. Jesus’ brothers that is. Jesus had four younger half brothers who are named in Matthew 13:55: James, Joseph, Simon and Judas. They grew up in the same house as Jesus and lived with him their entire lives—presumably until he began his public ministry at the age of 30.
We aren’t given details of Jesus’ life after his family settled in Nazareth following his birth, but we can assume that he lived a simple, ordinary life full of mundane activities just like everyone else—except that he was God wrapped in flesh, and he was perfect and sinless.
If his brothers didn’t know the truth of who Jesus was before his public ministry, they at least knew something was very different, peculiar, strange about him. You can easily imagine their resentment toward their brother because his perfect (not proud) behavior. Do-gooder. Mama’s boy. The favorite.
You can sense cynicism in their chiding words:
“Leave Galilee and go to Judea, so that your disciples there may see the works you do. No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world.” John 7:3-4
After Jesus’ began his public ministry, his brothers surely would have seen some of his miracles, and heard about others; they likely listened to some of his sermons, if only out of curiosity. They would have heard his calls to repent for the kingdom of God is at hand.
They would have had flawless gospel presentations around the kitchen table, and as they worked alongside him in the carpentry shop.
They—James, Joseph, Simon and Judas—had an intimate brotherly relationship with the Son of God, front row seats to the Messiah they claimed to be waiting for, yet not even His brothers were believing in him.
For the most part, my heritage is non-Christian. When the Lord saved me, I was an anomaly, peculiar, strange to those who knew and loved me. I still am. Some in my household have since believed and are walking with the Lord, yet many in my close family have not believed.
Maybe you share a similar story?
As I live day to day amongst my lost family, I often wonder What I’m doing wrong? How is it that after 19 years of walking faithfully with the Lord (by His grace) and sharing the gospel with love, some still refuse to believe?
I wonder frequently What I have missed? What did I do or say that was wrong? Why can’t they understand the gospel as I present it?
Many times I’ve asked myself, How can they not see the change in me, for I am not what I once was? Try as I might to not be a stumbling block, I have thought I must be a hindrance, somehow.
But then, this verse offers me such encouragement. To think that even Jesus’ brothers were unwilling to believe. Even Jesus’ family mocked his message and ministry.
Jesus walked this path I’m walking. He knows its difficulties.
He understands and he sympathizes with each of us walking this path.
“For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things like we are, yet without sin.” Heb. 4:15
That’s enough to keep me going. May you, dear reader, be strengthened with me, as we remember Jesus’ words:
“…..no one can come to Me unless it has been granted him from the Father.” John 6:65
Sadly, it took Jesus’ death, and resurrection, to open his brothers’ eyes to the truth of who he was. Early in the book of Acts we find his brothers gathered with the church to pray (Acts 1:14). Eventually, two of them would write letters which would become part of the New Testament (James and Jude).
What do we, mere mortals with a sinful flesh that persistently clings to us, do as we dwell amongst our lost family and bear the cross of our peculiarity?
We do what we are able:
We love them. (Matt. 22:30; 1 Cor. 13:4-7)
We continue to pray for them without ceasing. (1 Thess. 5:17)
We faithfully walk with our Lord. (Micah 6:8; 1 John 2:5-6)
We let our words be full of grace, seasoned with salt, so we may know how we should answer each one. (Col 4:6)
We live blameless and innocent lives, shining as lights to those around us as we hold out the words of life. (Phil 2:15-16)
We remember: even Jesus’ brothers didn’t believe for a time.
It may be that the eyes of our loved ones won’t be opened until after we’re gone. Let us trust our merciful and gracious God to grant, in his perfect time, that they would come to Jesus.
The Light for My Path 