Day 25-Saturday, March 9th
John 7:1-13
Oh Brother!

After His controversial teachings in the synagogue in Capernaum, Jesus then travels around Galilee avoiding Judea (and thus Jerusalem) where there was a bounty on His head.

About 6 months later, the earthly brothers of Jesus come to Him try to persuade Him to travel to Jerusalem to celebrate the Festival of the Booths, a week-long celebration of the fall harvest. This is one of the most joyful festivals in Judaism, meant to bring families, friends and communities together. The holiday also commemorates the 40 years that Jews spent in the desert after escaping slavery in Egypt when they lived in huts or “booths”.

The brothers of Jesus see this as a great opportunity for some good press and to increase the fame and influence of their big brother.

Jesus’ brothers said to Him, “Leave Galilee and go to Judea, so that your disciples there may see the works you do. No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since You are doing these things, show Yourself to the world.” John 7:3-4 NIV
It also becomes clear that His own brothers have their doubts about Him and want to see these things with their own eyes.
For even His own brothers did not believe in Him. John 7:5 NIV
Jesus, understanding their true motives, knows the danger that waits for Him in Jerusalem and declines to attend the feast. He knows that the time will come when He will go to Jerusalem to give His life, but this “time has not yet come.”
Therefore Jesus told them, “My time is not yet here; for you any time will do. The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me because I testify that its works are evil. You go to the festival. I am not going up to this festival, because My time has not yet fully come.” After He had said this, He stayed in Galilee. John 7:6-9 NIV
It must have been frustrating and perhaps even painful for Jesus to deal with all the doubters. After losing most of His followers, He now must deal with doubt from His own family. He sends His brothers to the festival in Jerusalem on their own. However, once His brothers have departed, Jesus Himself travels to Jerusalem in secret and discovers that He was right to fear the Jewish leaders.
However, after His brothers had left for the festival, He went also, not publicly, but in secret. Now at the festival the Jewish leaders were watching for Jesus and asking, “Where is He?” John 7:10-11 NIV
In fact, observing in secret, Jesus finds that many in the crowd are debating quietly among themselves about Him, being careful to steer clear of these Jewish leaders.
Among the crowds there was widespread whispering about Him. Some said, “He is a good man.” Others replied, “No, He deceives the people.” But no one would say anything publicly about Him for fear of the leaders. John 7:12-13 NIV

Doubted by His followers, doubted by His own family, and doubted by the crowds, Jesus bides His time to truly make Himself known.

Questions to consider:
When have you ever acted like Jesus’ brothers-wanting Jesus to work miracles so that you could easily believe?
When do you ever fall into thinking that you could have greater faith if God would just work miraculously in your life? If He would answer all your prayers the way you want Him to answer?
What causes you to doubt God the most? What stands in the way of you having strong faith?

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