He went away from there and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him.2 And on the Sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished, saying, “Where did this man get these things? What is the wisdom given to him? How are such mighty works done by his hands? 3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. 4 And Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor, except in his hometown and among his relatives and in his own household.” 5 And he could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them. 6 And he marveled because of their unbelief. – Mark 6:1-6
Before Jesus was Resurrected, He was not accepted as the Son of God by His own brothers. Not surprising, right? It just goes to show you how anyone can find it difficult to find acceptance of new found success or skills or abilities after growing up with them and being a first hand witness to their all too familiar oldest brother. In other words, in accepting the new you, family relationships can be the source of obstacles.
The conflict between Jesus and His brothers is believable and adds to the complex realities of human nature. The story that quietly parallels the Gospel accounts of Jesus ministry contributes to the authenticity of the eye-witness accounts and also is an indication how people can fail to follow Christ despite overwhelming evidence.
The brothers animosity or jealousy was reinforced by the reaction of the leaders of the town synagogue, who intended to kill Jesus because of his alleged blaspheme.
24 And he said, “Truly, I say to you, no prophet is acceptable in his hometown. …
28 When they heard these things, all in the synagogue were filled with wrath. 29 And they rose up and drove him out of the town and brought him to the brow of the hill on which their town was built, so that they could throw him down the cliff. 30 But passing through their midst, he went away. – Luke 4: 24, 28-30
In the Gospel of Matthew, the struggle with his own family is captured in a passage:
46 While he was still speaking to the people, behold, his mother and his brothers stood outside, asking to speak to him. 48 But he replied to the man who told him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” 49 And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! 50 For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.” – Matthew 12:46-50
Even as Jesus time to be arrested drew near, His brothers were not aware of the complex timing of the approaching events that would lead to His trial and execution. Not even the disciples understood this ending of Jesus earthy ministry as things began to unfold rapidly. The brothers sought to encourage Jesus to just do his familial duty and, perhaps, by drawing more attention to himself and the family, maybe by the very popular feeding of thousands and the miraculous healing of more sick people, celebrity status would increase and limelight may fall upon them too!
7 After this Jesus went about in Galilee. He would not go about in Judea, because the Jews were seeking to kill him. 2 Now the Jews’ Feast of Booths was at hand. 3 So his brothers said to him, “Leave here and go to Judea, that your disciples also may see the works you are doing. 4 For no one works in secret if he seeks to be known openly. If you do these things, show yourself to the world.” 5 For not even his brothers believed in him. 6 Jesus said to them, “My time has not yet come, but your time is always here.7 The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify about it that its works are evil. 8 You go up to the feast. I am not going up to this feast, for my time has not yet fully come.” 9 After saying this, he remained in Galilee. – John 7:1-9
Jesus’ public humiliation and death on the cross could have drawn more contempt from his brothers, the brothers who always thought that all these miracles would not amount to much or simply an earthly position of fame and fortune. Death on a Cross would have just amplified the seeming futility of Jesus’ proclamations and ministry. Moreover, There’s no record of the brothers being witness to his trial or execution.
22 For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. – 1 Corinsthians:22-24
And yet, the Resurrection happened and the Resurrected Lord made point of visiting many people, including His brothers James and, presumably, Jude. Although Jude is not mentioned specifically, it’s quite realistic that even the testimony of James and of the many other eye-witnesses would have the desired effect, The Apostle Paul provides a list of those who he knew had witnessed the risen Christ.
3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. – 1 Corinthians 15:3-8.
Like the Apostles, James and Jude became leaders in the church, James became the leader of the Jerusalem church. His canonized letter begins with the proclamation of a saving faith:
James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ… James 1:1
Moreover, Jude begins his letter with the following introduction:
Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James, To those who are called, beloved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ: May mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you. – Jude 1
Offhand, I cannot find how Jude died but James was put to death because of His faithful testimony to the Risen Lord, who was also his older brother.
In Closing
In Jesus Christ’s life and in His Death, we can learn about the character, the wisdom, and the power of God to bring about change in people’s lives. We also learn that not all people are called; however, those who believe are called to spread the Gospel so all who will believe will hear the message of redemption by God’s grace.
In His Resurrection we discover in the Lord Jesus Christ the truthfulness of the foundation of our faith and worship. We begin to understand how as we become more sanctified, it is necessary and becoming to turn our lives over to our Lord, to fulfill to His will and purpose for our lives and, even as did Jesus’s own brothers and disciples, to bear our own cross.
For a detailed explanation of who Jesus Christ is from the Bible’s perspective go to the video in this website , “Who is Jesus Christ?”
For a one minute explanation of the Gospel, watch this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCP9UcC7BzE
For a review of the Ten Commandments: https://www.challenyee.com/the-ten-commandments/
CKY
P.S. Typos and all, I do not use AI.
Sunset photo in Hawaii (Maui) is from my personal stock.