The Word This Week
John 7:1…
John 7 begins with an interesting look into the dynamics present within Jesus’ own nuclear family.
Some may find what we read here to be somewhat surprising.
Another glimpse we have of the inner workings of Jesus’ family is found in Mark 3:21 where it was said Jesus’ own people thought He was out of His mind.
In Luke 8:21 we read Jesus said, “My mother and My brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it.”
Here in John 7 we see why Jesus said what He said about His own family. We read of Jesus’ own brothers chiding Him about how it appears Jesus is not going up to the Feast of Tabernacles. John has moved his narrative up to about six months prior to Jesus’ crucifixion. The Feast of Tabernacles took place every year in the October timeframe. The Passover when Jesus would be crucified would take place on the following April.
So, nearing the end of His ministry on earth, we read here in verse 5 Jesus’ own brothers did not believe in Him. How could this be?
Before we wrestle with that, we again consider the veracity of the Bible. What mythological account created by men would contain such a seemingly embarrassing account of its hero? This passage is presented along with many passages of scripture which reveal the faults and shortcomings of what we might consider to be the ‘heroic’ figures found in God’s Word. If the Bible was a work of mere men, it is very hard to believe the content we see here would be included.
That Jesus’ own brothers did not believe in Him at this point in His ministry is very surprising. That they are seemingly mocking Him about Who He claims to be is more so. I suppose it probably reflects badly upon Jesus in some minds. Since they of all people knew Jesus best, if they didn’t believe in Him – why should we?
We can think of all the possibilities why this may be. Would this be because they were jealous of Jesus’ perfection within the family home? I can imagine how difficult it would be for Jesus’ half-brothers to live up to the standard of perfection He had set. It could also be because of the notoriety Jesus’ ministry had brought to the family, which they were not prepared for and possibly did not desire. Who knows why?
But the fact is, even though John includes this possibly highly embarrassing fact about Jesus’ own brothers not believing in Him, it is all reconciled by the fact they DID come to believe in Him later. When?
When they saw Him resurrected from the dead.
Pastor Bill
John 7 begins with an interesting look into the dynamics present within Jesus’ own nuclear family.
Some may find what we read here to be somewhat surprising.
Another glimpse we have of the inner workings of Jesus’ family is found in Mark 3:21 where it was said Jesus’ own people thought He was out of His mind.
In Luke 8:21 we read Jesus said, “My mother and My brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it.”
Here in John 7 we see why Jesus said what He said about His own family. We read of Jesus’ own brothers chiding Him about how it appears Jesus is not going up to the Feast of Tabernacles. John has moved his narrative up to about six months prior to Jesus’ crucifixion. The Feast of Tabernacles took place every year in the October timeframe. The Passover when Jesus would be crucified would take place on the following April.
So, nearing the end of His ministry on earth, we read here in verse 5 Jesus’ own brothers did not believe in Him. How could this be?
Before we wrestle with that, we again consider the veracity of the Bible. What mythological account created by men would contain such a seemingly embarrassing account of its hero? This passage is presented along with many passages of scripture which reveal the faults and shortcomings of what we might consider to be the ‘heroic’ figures found in God’s Word. If the Bible was a work of mere men, it is very hard to believe the content we see here would be included.
That Jesus’ own brothers did not believe in Him at this point in His ministry is very surprising. That they are seemingly mocking Him about Who He claims to be is more so. I suppose it probably reflects badly upon Jesus in some minds. Since they of all people knew Jesus best, if they didn’t believe in Him – why should we?
We can think of all the possibilities why this may be. Would this be because they were jealous of Jesus’ perfection within the family home? I can imagine how difficult it would be for Jesus’ half-brothers to live up to the standard of perfection He had set. It could also be because of the notoriety Jesus’ ministry had brought to the family, which they were not prepared for and possibly did not desire. Who knows why?
But the fact is, even though John includes this possibly highly embarrassing fact about Jesus’ own brothers not believing in Him, it is all reconciled by the fact they DID come to believe in Him later. When?
When they saw Him resurrected from the dead.
Pastor Bill