January 25 Directing the Lord?

John 7:2-5 But when the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles was near, 3 Jesus’ brothers said to him, “You ought to leave here and go to Judea, so that your disciples may see the miracles you do. 4 No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world.” 5 For even his own brothers did not believe in him.
 
JESUS had four brothers – sons of Mary and Joseph. Matthew 13:55 “Isn't this the carpenter’s son? Isn't his mother’s name Mary, and aren't his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas?” At this point, none of them believed Jesus is the Christ. They mocked him as many others did. You know how it is in a family. When a sibling does well, he or she is less recognized at home than in the world.
   In their unbelief, the brothers tempted Jesus to “go to Judea, so that your disciples may see the miracles you do.” The disciples are not the Twelve, but people who go to Jesus whenever he is in an area. Word of Jesus’ teachings and his challenges to the authorities on his previous visit there was certainly known in all of Galilee.
   The brothers’ words sound good don’t they? “Go be famous!” But they are mocking the Lord in the same way Satan tempted Jesus in Matthew 4:3 “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread."  It is a sin to test God, to tell him when, where and how to act.
   We praise God that the four brothers became believers. They saw Jesus’ humiliating death, his grand resurrection miracle and his glorious ascension. Acts 1:14 They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers. James became a leader in the early church and wrote the epistle James. Jude is the author of Jude.
   Jesus’ “half-brothers” needed to travel the same road of faith as we all do. Just knowing Jesus wasn’t enough. They had to come to believe with all their heart he is the resurrected Lord, ascended to heaven, coming again. Such a Lord must not be tempted. We must only approach him faithfully to say, “Your will be done in your time, Lord.”
 
Prayer: Teach me humility, Lord God, so I may be steadfast and faithful to receive your good will for my life always. Amen.