Unswayed by Opinions

This morning I felt like I should read John, chapter 7. There are several things of interest, but I was really intrigued by John 7:3-5 NIV:

[3] "Jesus’ brothers said to him, “Leave Galilee and go to Judea, so that your disciples there may see the works 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."

I found myself imagining the interaction between Jesus and His brothers. What would it be like to have grown up with Jesus and seen him live a relatively unremarkable 30 years, and then one day start performing miracles and preaching great messages? I was thinking also of Jesus, and the courage and strength it took to step into the spotlight of the whole nation and countryside, especially when His family was unconvinced.

On one hand, I can almost hear them saying verse 4, and it probably wasn't meant as real encouragement, but rather said with a certain spiteful tone, similar to the way Joseph's brother's responded to him when he told them his dreams. It sounds like they thought he was a bit of a glory grabber, and was trying to self promote. Clearly that wasn't Jesus' heart nor motivation. He was going because the Father was sending Him. I would imagine even that would have made His brothers a bit crazy, because its likely that Joseph was dead by this point, since we do not hear anything about him during Jesus active ministry years. So here is Jesus talking about being sent by His Father (John 5:17-35), and His brothers know that Joseph is dead and buried. No wonder there were those that Jesus was crazy or demon possessed (John 7:20).

On the other hand, His brother's might have been unconvinced about Jesus being the messiah, but might have been trying to help Him out of their human wisdom. If they thought that Jesus was trying to make a name for Himself, similar to a politician running for office, their comments about going to the Feast would make perfect sense, because the number of people who were gathered was significant. What better way to become a public figure, than to go where everyone is and start doing miracles in their midst. They were thinking like normal people, encouraging Jesus to do what made sense to them. Jesus, however, was listening to the Father, and doing what He told Him to do (John 5:19).

Regardless of all the swirl surrounding Him, or however you interpret these verses, Jesus was faithful to fulfill the Father's will. He was locked onto the Father's will and timing and would not allow himself to misstep. He was unswayed by people's opinions or thoughts. He held to the Father's timing and direction and ultimately set into motion the plan to kill Him, but He was faithful. Let us learn from His example and set our hearts and minds on the Lord, doing what He says. Let us step beyond our fear, or familiar territory and pursue the Lord with passion and focus. The Lord might be calling to us, calling us into something that is beyond us, or outside of who we see ourselves, but He knows what it takes and how to step into the fulfillment of the Father's will. Let us look to Him rather than leaning on our own understanding (Prov 3:5)! Let us listen to the Lord, first and foremost, and be unconcerned about what others or even ourselves think.

As a side note, there are some who believe Jesus was an an only child, and that belief could be possible, as the Greek word used is adelphos, which has several meanings: 1. a brother, whether born of the same two parents or only of the same father or mother 2. having the same national ancestor, belonging to the same people, or countryman 3. any fellow or man 4. a fellow believer, united to another by the bond of affection 5. an associate in employment or office 6. brethren in Christ. This same word is used to describe Peter and Andrew in Matt 4:18, so its use can indeed mean blood brothers, or any range of the definition, and is generally inconclusive.