1After this, Jesus went around in Galilee. He did not want to go about in Judea because the Jewish leaders there were looking for a way to kill him. 2But when the Jewish Festival of Tabernacles was near, 3Jesus’ brothers said to him, “Leave Galilee and go to Judea, so that your disciples there may see the works you do. 4No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world.” 5For even his own brothers did not believe in him. (John 7:1-5)
Thoughts: Matthew 13:55 records four brothers of Jesus: James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas. When Mary tried to force Jesus' hand he said his time had not yet come. He also said this to his brothers. Some have thought these were just relatives, but the word "brother" is found both in Matthew and here. All Jesus' brothers thought was that he should be a public figure. They wanted to help make him famous. They wanted to be his publicity agents. But Jesus knew that going to Jerusalem was going into the teeth of his eventual killers. His brothers wanted him to be a politician. They would have been very happy if he accepted the crown offered after he fed the 5,000 (John 6). The brothers were looking at Jesus as solely w worldly figure who was popular. Too many look at the church as simply a worldly institution. But it is more- as Jesus is more.
Prayer: Help me to see you, Lord, as you wish to be seen. Help me to see you not as a politician, but as the Savior of the world.
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