The Brothers of Jesus John 7:1-5

Introduction John 7:1-5 –After the feeding of the 5,000+ Jesus remains in Galilee –Not because He was afraid of the Jews, but because He knew what they wanted to do »It wasn’t yet time for Him to die, so no need to force the issue yet –But eventually it was time for a mandatory feast, the Feast of Tabernacles (in the fall) –His brothers told Jesus to go up openly to Jerusalem Yet they did not believe

Why didn’t they believe? We’re not told directly –But we’re given some possibilities Perhaps they were blinded by familiarity –As often said, "Familiarity breeds contempt“ –Hindered many who knew Jesus from childhood (Mt 13:54-58) –A problem common among prophets (Mt 13:57)

Why didn’t they believe? Perhaps they were blinded by envy –Large crowds had been following Jesus everywhere Making it difficult for His family to speak to Him at times (Mt 12:46-47) –Jealousy can be a powerful hindrance to seeing things clearly Perhaps they misunderstood (Mk 3:20-27) –“His own people” thought He was crazy –Jewish scribes thought He was demon- possessed –It’s easy to reject someone without trying to understand what they are saying

Why didn’t they believe? Perhaps they were blinded by preconceptions –Many Jews had wrong ideas about the kingdom (Mk 10:35-37; Jn 6:15) –His brothers had their ideas as to what He should do (Jn 7:2-4) Go openly, defiantly to Jerusalem Do miracles to convince people to follow you and keep them following you –It is easy to reject someone if they do not live up to your expectations

A warning for today Do we let familiarity blind us to the truth? –Do we reject what a close friend or relative may tell us? Especially since they have their own faults of which we are well aware? –Truth can be communicated by imperfect messengers (1Cor 2:1-5)

A warning for today Do we let envy get in the way of truth? –Are we jealous that we might be wrong and others may be right? –Do we think that by admitting others are right, it somehow makes them better? –Truth (and salvation!) is too precious to let envy or jealousy keep us from it Do we find it easier to just reject what someone says rather than seek the truth? –Do we just call them a ‘cult’ and shut our ears?

A warning for today Do we let preconceived notions obstruct a clear evaluation of the truth? –Refusing to reexamine our cherished beliefs? –Rejecting a view or teaching simply because we have never heard it before? –Truth requires a willingness to hear, and has nothing to fear from investigation (Acts 17:11)

How they came to believe We are told that Jesus’ brothers did not remain unbelievers (Acts 1:12-14) –How did it happen that they came to believe? 1 Cor 15:3-8 The resurrection! –James (presumably His brother, since the 12 were previously mentioned) saw Him alive –The others may have seen Him on other occasions (1 Cor 15:6) –Some miracles might be faked –Rising from the dead cannot! The resurrection shattered blinders of familiarity, envy, misunderstanding and preconceptions

A lesson for today It is understandable that some find the gospel story incredible –A man born of a virgin? –A man who was the Son of God? –A man who... Walked on water? Calmed the seas? Fed thousands with five loaves and two fish? Healed the sick and lame, gave sight to the blind, raised the dead? Was Himself raised from the dead?

A lesson for today Yet there is a good reason to believe the incredible story! –That is, the conversion of those like Jesus' brothers Who at first did not believe (for whatever reason) Who were persuaded by the evidence (Acts 10:39-41) Who never recanted their testimony, despite hardship and persecution –James and Jude wrote their respective epistles –James was an elder in the Jerusalem church –James, according to Josephus, was stoned to death around AD 62

A lesson for today What explains the transformation of Jesus' brothers? –The same thing that transformed the disciples of Jesus! –"If the disciples were totally disappointed and on the verge of desperate flight because of the very real reason of the crucifixion, it took another very real reason in order to transform them from a band of disheartened and dejected Jews into the most self-confident missionary society in world history." [Pinchas Lapide, former Chairman of the Applied Linguistics Department at Israel's Bar-Iland University (TIME, May 7, 1979)] This Orthodox Jewish scholar concluded that a bodily resurrection could possibly have been that reason!

Conclusion The disbelief of Jesus’ brother should serve as a warning: –Don’t let familiarity, envy, misunderstanding, or preconceptions keep you from learning the truth The later belief of Jesus’ brothers should serve as an encouragement: –Their conversion shows there was overwhelming evidence for the resurrection Former unbelievers would not be willing to give their lives for Jesus unless proven that He lived and is Who He claimed to be