Jesus' Brothers

What was their motivation?

Today’s passage gives some insight into Jesus’ situation that isn’t elsewhere and isn’t talked about much. Usually his inner conversations are with the twelve disciples, but today, John gives us a glimpse into a conversation with his brothers. (No, Jesus was not an only child.)

What was their motivation for telling him to go public? Did they want notoriety? Did they want glory for God? It seems it was something closer to the former since John tells us they didn’t believe in him.

Did they eventually come to believe in him?

John 7:1-13

After this Jesus traveled throughout Galilee. He didn’t want to travel in Judea, because the Jewish authorities wanted to kill him. When it was almost time for the Jewish Festival of Booths, Jesus’ brothers said to him, “Leave Galilee. Go to Judea so that your disciples can see the amazing works that you do. Those who want to be known publicly don’t do things secretly. Since you can do these things, show yourself to the world.” His brothers said this because even they didn’t believe in him.

Jesus replied, “For you, anytime is fine. But my time hasn’t come yet. The world can’t hate you. It hates me, though, because I testify that its works are evil. You go up to the festival. I’m not going to this one because my time hasn’t yet come.” Having said this, he stayed in Galilee. However, after his brothers left for the festival, he went too—not openly but in secret.

The Jewish leaders were looking for Jesus at the festival. They kept asking, “Where is he?” The crowds were murmuring about him. “He’s a good man,” some said, but others were saying, “No, he tricks the people.” No one spoke about him publicly, though, for fear of the Jewish authorities.

Prayer

God,

Thank you for Saturdays. They’re not quite what they used to be - sugar breakfast cereals and cartoons all morning. In fact, they’re better. Thank you for the time and opportunity that Saturday provides in my life.

Help me to use it well. To rest, to create, to look forward.

By your spirit & in Christ,
Amen.