“For
not even His brothers were believing in Him” (John 7:5)
We love the letters you send to Friday Study
Ministries. Many of them are encouraging and that is good - others
offer suggestions, and that is also very good. We read them all,
respond to as many as we can, and ask that you keep on writing.
One was received a short time ago from a man we
deeply respect, containing the advice that two verses may have
included incorrect capitalization (one large letter instead of a
small, and one small in place of a large). We followed up on the
suggestion, agreed with one of the changes, and modified "Sermons"
("Mom", Mark 6:3, May 18, 2003).
at
www.FridayStudy.org. The other one was actually correct as
written for the New King James version (NKJV) of the Bible.
The email writer's comments are always
interesting and he got me thinking anew about Jesus and His earthly
family. The observation was that each capitalization (or its lack)
was important, because, as he said, the “transposition
gives the impression that His family was offended by Him.”
My response was: “His
brothers (and probably His sisters) WERE offended at Him.
Can you imagine being the kid-sibling of the Son of God? Not only
Who He Was, but all of their lives, these RUMORS about His birth
(and their mother) had been whispered around town. It would have
been a two-pronged insult for them. Just like Joseph's brothers
were offended at the dreams God had placed into Joseph, Jesus'
brothers felt like they were LESS than He was, but they didn't want
to be. And - how many fist-fights did His brothers get into,
defending this Brother that they probably did not even LIKE? All
somewhat speculative, EXCEPT for places like John 7:1-10, where it
is noted that His brothers tried to pressure Him into becoming more
OPEN about who and what He was. It is also clear that they did not
believe in Jesus. It seems they were looking for SOME public
vindication for all they had suffered during the years of rumors and
jealousy. From that perspective, Joseph's brothers in Genesis
Chapter 37 were an advance ‘picture’ of Jesus' relationships within
His family. To NOT believe in one another is unfortunately common
in families, including those in the family of God that we call the
church.”
After responding to the email, I continued to
wonder: What WOULD it be like to be a kid-sibling to the King
of Glory? I had no siblings and often wished that I did. However,
listening to comments from those who do have them over the years I
have decided that whereas sometimes such relationships are good,
they can also be difficult. Many sisters and brothers have grudges
that just don't go away.
I received Christ in July of 1953, in a church
where, by custom, everyone was called "Sister" or "Brother" followed
by their name. I recall thinking as a teen-ager that it is better
to TREAT others like sisters and brothers, than to merely CALL them
by such names. There was a notable "Brother Bob," a local
businessman who was in charge of our Sunday School. The man had a
loud public argument with the Pastor (Brother Howard) about some
obscure doctrine. Bob left us and took half the church with him. I
felt at the time that Brother Bob was not as brotherly as his title
would indicate.
It’s amazing how quickly “brothers” and
“sisters” in both church and secular settings can turn on one
another. That was a problem with Jesus’ brothers. They had not yet
received God through Christ, and did not know forgiveness. Those
who are forgiven receive the Spirit of God, and He brings with Him
the potential for forgiving others. OUR way of looking of things
includes old angers that just will not go away. HIS perspective is
to see their need and be concerned for them. We gradually gain His
viewpoint through the Spirit of God.
They did not believe that He was the Messiah.
Jesus was following God, and they were, at that moment, not
believing in Him. No doubt, the Spirit was speaking to His
brothers, telling them, “Your Brother is
the Lord,” but they were deaf to the Spirit and did not hear
Him.
Has God touched your heart to speak or act in a
certain manner, but you're afraid because of what people might
think? Have you rejected someone out of jealousy? Has God called
you to go somewhere or do something, but you have not gone? Have
you tried to actually DO that which He has called you to do, but
others have cautioned you that it's not such a good idea? "Don't
waste your life," your "siblings" may tell you. Have you tried to
forgive and failed? “Let Go, let God,”
is to trust in Him and respond to the Spirit of God.
Jesus UTTERLY followed the Holy Spirit of God
in all that He said and did, while living as a man on this earth.
Even to the cross; and even when His brothers urged Him to take a
different course. The Lord expects you to do the same. He said you
are to "deny yourself, take up your cross
daily, and follow" Him (Luke 9:23). What does He mean,
except you are to give up acting for yourself, and instead live for
Him? Jesus gave EVERYTHING to those He met, and He intends that you
will do it, too. In His power, as He leads.
Sometimes it is right to wait. We can
want so badly to please God that we may act before His time. Look
to Him - Trust in Him - Follow Him - And when you know it is His
time - GO! Whatever the seeming outward result, He will make it all
work for His glory and your eternal good. Even our "failures"
become His victories, when we trust in Him. Jesus’ brothers did not
understand any of that, and it is hard for us as well.
What would it be like to become the kid brother
or sister of Jesus Christ? You have that opportunity. You might
think, “I wish I had been Jesus’ brother”
(or sister). You can be - Jesus Christ is the Son of God (John
3:16, Galatians 4:4). The one who trusts in Jesus is “no
longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through
God” (Galatians 4:7). Jesus Christ is not only the “Mighty
God, Almighty Father,” as He is called in Isaiah 9:6, but
trust in Him and you will find He is also your Brother, the One who
loves you without limit. Let’s pray together.
Lord, we trust in You. Forgive us. Fill us
with Your Spirit. Enable us to understand and let us learn to
forgive. In Jesus Name. Amen.
