The Unbelief of Jesus’ Brothers
John 7:1-9
As the Jews were looking for an opportunity to kill Jesus, He moved to Galilee and taught there. Then, his brothers told Him, “Leave here and go to Judea so that your disciples also may see the works you are doing; for no one who wants to be widely known acts in secret. If you do these things, show yourself to the world” (Jn. 7:3-4). Even His brothers did not believe in Him.
Mark 6:3 tells us the names of the Lord’s brothers – James, Jose, Jude and Simon. We are also told that He also had sisters. How can His own brothers not believe Him? Strange!
They did not believe in Him until the resurrection, says scholars. The Lord appeared to James after the resurrection (1 Cor. 15:7) and became the leader of the Jewish-Christians in Jerusalem (Gal. 1:19; 2:9; Acts 12:17). He also presided over the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15:19-23) and became instrumental in shaping Christianity (Acts 21:18).
As for Jose (probably Joseph), we do not know much about him.
Jude also became an important figure of early Christianity who fought against heresies.
Simon, though several Simons were mentioned, this particular Simon, the brother of Jesus is rarely mentioned.
These brothers did not know their own brother! They did not understand Him. This was probably what they thought and said: “If you want to become popular, why do you tarry here? Go to Judea, become what you want to become! There’s nothing in Galilee.” It’s like asking an aspiring actor to go to Hollywood or at least to the United States and pursue his/her dreams.
We can talk about many things. But we will not. We just want us to ask ourselves:
- We’ve been Christians for so long, but do we know the LORD? Really know Him?
- James and Jude came to be known later as they came to understand their brother. Let us be careful not to be lost somewhere and be lost forever. Where are we? Are we still lost somewhere?
