BIBLE STUDY: Bad Brothers!
A. BACKGROUND... Any “celebrity” will tell you that fame has an upside/downside. Fame brings more opportunities, popularity, and fans. And critics, stalkers, gossip, paparazzi, etc. Jesus gained fame as people heard about his teachings, miracles, and confrontation with authorities. This led to crowds showing up, more people wanting to be disciples AND curiosity, skepticism, and opposition. By John 7, his life is in danger.
C. SUMMARY. A. Jesus’ brothers show up and advise that he should build on his popularity by going to Jerusalem (the capital of Israel). There his miracles and teachings could reach and influence more people, have greater impact, and yield quicker results. Jesus says it is not the right time yet, a few days later, he does go there. Incognito for a while. Recognized or unrecognized, he was the talk of the town. Some thought he was good, others thought insane, or holy, a prophet, a deceiver. Eventually he shows up at the Temple and starts teaching. People (fans and critics alike) want to know how he got so wise. Is he truly a representative of God? Or only of himself? He tells them that his only purpose is to point the way to God, to “honor the one who sent him” (vs. 18).
D. KEY POINTS
1. Sibling rivalry is universal. Jesus’ brothers pushed him to go to the big city, show his stuff, go bigtime. Were they sincere? Goading him? Making fun? Verse 6 says “even his own brothers did not believe in him.” Maybe this was their test, sort of “convince us.” D.L. Moody, America’s great evangelist (and founder of my prep school, Northfield - Mt. Herman) said that his toughest audience was his own family. Family knows us too well to be impressed by our piety or success. They “remember when.”
Did Jesus even have brothers? Catholics say “no”, Protestants “yes.” For Catholics, Mary was ever-virgin, and therefore had no other children after the “immaculate conception” of Jesus. Protestants say it’s right there in the Bible. While I take the Protestant version, on behalf of the Catholic view I can say that many cultures and societies (even today) think of cousins or brothers or sisters and refer to them as such.
2. “Who the heck does he think he is, anyway?”, verse 15, sort of. Jesus comes out of nowhere, untrained, no credentials, yet is full of wisdom, people flock to him, he does and says astounding things. Opinions of him ranged from he was a good guy to he was a charlatan, a blasphemer. Or perhaps the long-awaited Messiah. Still, he was a nobody from nowhere. Jesus’ answer, vs. 16-18, is that whatever teaching, wisdom, abilities he has “comes from him who sent me.” Then he offers a terrific dare (vs. 17). Try it my way, do God’s will and see if it matches up with my teaching. See if God and I are in sync. In Christmas language, see if, in Christ, God is with us. That is a perfect test. In living a Christlike life do we feel closer to God? I’ve yet to meet the one who says “no.”
3. TIMING. When Jesus’ brothers urged him to go to Jerusalem, he twice said “the right time has not yet come” (vs. 6, 8). Then, a few days later he goes. “Timing” is always an issue for important things. To go or not go. Speak up or not speak up. Do or not do. Get married, have a baby, change jobs, retire – or not. To ascertain the best timing? Pray. Seriously, pray. Stop, think, weigh, invite God’s wisdom into your timing. It works.
