John 7:3-6

3 His brothers therefore said to Him, “Depart from here and go into Judea, that Your disciples also may see the works that You are doing. 

4 For no one does anything in secret while he himself seeks to be known openly. If You do these things, show Yourself to the world.”

5 For even His brothers did not believe in Him.

6 Then Jesus said to them, “My time has not yet come, but your time is always ready.

“Stop Hiding and Prove it IF…. You are the Son of God”

The world’s unbelief in Jesus was growing. Let’s look at the pattern. First, His own countrymen, the Jews, did not believe Him. They were so against Him that they were already plotting to kill Him. Next, some of His own disciples stopped following Him. And now, the ultimate betrayal, Jesus’ own family members, His flesh and blood brothers, did not believe in Him. When you read verses 3 and 4, it might sound for a moment like they do believe, but when I picture this scene in my head, I sense a sarcastic tone, and a condescending attitude from Jesus’ brothers. I can just see them cutting their eyes toward one another,  snickering to one another, and making fun of their older brother. You see…..all they saw was their older brother whom they had grown up with…..possibly whom their parents had treated with extra special care. Do you think that Mary and Joseph told the other children who their brother Jesus was? Did she tell them that He would be the Savior of the world? I would think so, but we don’t know for sure. Jesus’ brothers only saw the boy who had worried their parents to death when He was twelve years old when He went to “show off”, as the brothers might have seen it, for the teachers of the law at the temple. I can just picture the sibling rivalry. Now, they saw their older brother stirring up all kinds of trouble with the Jewish leaders that could possibly have an impact on them. I can see some of the unbelieving Jews saying to these brothers of Jesus, “Aren’t you the brothers of this Jesus character who says He’s the Son of God? Surely you don’t stand for this kind of blasphemy.” And I’m not trying to put words in the Bible. I’m just trying to picture how it might have been for Jesus’ brothers. “Your brother says He is the Son of God! Does that mean you guys are sons of God too?” So here is what Jesus’ brothers said to Him in verses 3 and 4 in my own words, “You need to go on to Judea so your followers can see all these miracles you are supposedly performing. If you are the Son of God, then why are you hiding from everyone? Why don’t you go prove it to everyone? Why are you afraid to go to Judea if you can do all these great things? There will be so many people there for the feast. This is your opportunity to show everyone what you can do, and prove it…..if…..you are actually the Son of God.” Of course, verse 5 plainly says that they don’t believe in Him. Jesus knows they don’t, because He can read their thoughts. Then, He says something interesting in verse 6, paraphrasing, “It is not time for the world to see Me yet…..” Jesus was on a strict timetable which came straight from His Father. Every move He made, every person He met, and every place He went was mapped out perfectly. Jesus’ brothers were tempting Him to stray away from that timetable, and do His own thing. This was not possible for Jesus. Jesus was immersed in the Father’s will and plan for Him, and nothing else. Jesus was tempted in this way once before by Satan himself. In Matthew 4:5-6, it says, “Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: ‘He shall give His angels charge over you,’ and, ‘In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone.’ ” Satan was tempting Jesus to show off His power, just like His brothers were doing. Let’s finish verse 6, Jesus says, paraphrasing, “It is not my time yet, but it is certainly always your time.” This statement means more when it is put together with verse 7. He is telling His brothers that it is always their time to be of the world. He is basically telling them that they are not of God, but they are of the world. We will discuss this concept more in the next few verses. 

In Mark 6:3, when Jesus was rejected in His hometown of Nazareth, it lists the brothers of Jesus: James, Joses, Judas (Jude), and Simon. It also says that He had sisters. We know that Jesus’ brothers eventually believed in Him. In Acts 1:14, we read, “These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.” Jesus’ brothers were with the apostles in the upper room praying after Jesus’ ascension. Jesus’ brother Jude wrote the book of Jude, and then there was James. In 1 Corinthians 15:3-8, Paul is listing all the people whom Jesus appeared to after He rose from the dead. He apparently appeared to His brother James alone, and then to the rest of the apostles. (1 Corinthians 15:7) Wouldn’t you have liked to have heard that conversation between Jesus and His brother James? James became an elder of the Lord’s church, and also wrote the book of James. Wonder what He said to James? Maybe something like this, “James, I’m counting on you, brother. I need you to be a servant and a leader in my kingdom.”

One lesson we can take from these verses is to always give glory to God, and not seek glory for ourselves for things we accomplish, whether it is accomplishments in the world or in the church. Our accomplishments are for His glory. Everything we accomplish is only because God has allowed us to accomplish it. We are nothing without Him. Jesus’ brothers wanted Him to seek glory for Himself. They wanted Him to “show off”. It’s interesting that they said all this to Him, when they didn’t believe in Him in the first place. They had no faith in their brother. “Prove it!” they said. Well…..Jesus would prove it, but it would be the will of the Father as to when and how He would prove it. It would be on and after that third day…..when that tomb was empty, and His resurrected body was seen. That is when Jesus would truly reveal Himself. Jesus brought glory to God in everything He did, especially His crucifixion, His resurrection, and His ascension back to the Father. Question for myself: How do I bring glory to God through my life? 

God means for everyone to learn what the Bible teaches about how to be saved. It only takes an open heart for Jesus, and a willingness to put away what we’ve been taught in the past, and truly read what God’s Word says for ourselves…..and then accept what it says and obey it. If I can help you in any way, I would love to! Are you walking in the light? Are you in Christ? Are you saved? If you aren’t or you are not sure if you are, I’d love to help you. Are you a member of the Lord’s church, but are struggling spiritually in your walk with Christ? If you are…..believe me, I’ve been there many times, and I’d love to help you. If you have any questions, please reach out. 

I love God’s Word. It challenges me to be better…..to do more in His service. It is interesting and keeps me on the edge of my seat wondering what is going to happen next. It gives me confidence and builds me up, and it brings me to my knees when my soul needs convicting! Thank you Father for the wonderful gift of Your Word!

God’s Plan of Salvation

Below is the plan that God has set forth in His Word, for humankind to receive His grace that leads to salvation and an eternity with God in heaven. This plan is straight from the Bible. 

We have to hear His word. (Romans 10:17) 

Upon hearing the message of Jesus, we believe it. (Mark 16:16) 

Then, we confess Jesus’ name before men. (Matthew 10:32) 

Next, we repent of our sins. (Acts 2:38, Acts 3:19) 

Finally, we are baptized into Christ for the remission of our sins.  (Acts 2:38, Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:16, Romans 6:3-4, Acts 22:16, 1 Corinthians 12:13, Galatians 3:26-27) After baptism, God adds us to His church. (Acts 2:47)