I can just picture the scene. Several brothers in a room, the oldest being more than a little on the popular side. The younger brothers are giving him a hard time about it. Could they be jealous? Maybe a bit embarrassed for some reason? After all, they weren’t as popular. And in today’s reading, we hear they didn’t even believe in their own brother. You have to admit, that’s not the easiest truth to get your head around.
If nothing else, it reminds us that Jesus was human with siblings, rivalry, the whole bit. But Jesus had inside information to know that it wasn’t his time yet. His brothers couldn’t understand that either, and that’s okay. They still teased him, chiding him about showing off vs. hiding out.
Jesus didn’t want his brothers to miss out on the fun. He probably wished he was a little more like them. After all, they could go and enjoy themselves without fear. Have you ever felt like you couldn’t go someplace and enjoy yourself because you had to maintain a persona or live up to somebody’s expectations?
I remember as a young girl being sent back to my room to change clothes because what I had chosen was “indecent” in my mother’s eyes. Later in life, as a pastor’s wife, I was always asking “does this look okay?” I worried my skirt was too short or my neckline to low, etc. I went wild on vacation when I didn’t have to worry about who might see me. Why do we let appearances trap us so?
We are loved in God’s eyes no matter what clothes we wear or don’t wear. God sees into our hearts and no amount of clothing can disguise what is inside us. We need only please our heavenly father and live a life that glorifies him.
Jesus has said again that it wasn’t his time. We aren’t able to know the future and avoid situations we aren’t “ready for” and that’s okay. Sometimes I wish I could see the future but most of the time I’m glad I can’t.
Living life one day at a time is what I learned when we were leading our recovery ministry. It is a very wise strategy. We have very little control over the world in general, so it’s best we make the best of every day. We should make it a habit to look for a bright spot in every encounter and experience. After all, not all experiences are going to be picture perfect.
Jesus may have had a tinge of jealousy (v7), although we know it just “sounded” that way. Jealousy is a ploy of the evil one Jesus would not have given in to. “The world can’t hate you, but it does hate me because I accuse it of doing evil.” The world is rampant with evil still today. Sometimes I think it’s worse than ever, but then I look at history and realize evil has always been alive and well.
When we call someone out on their “evil”, we are not very popular. Jesus’ word “hate” seems a little harsh, but it is true. He was rattling a lot of cages as he spoke. Jesus was not afraid to make people uncomfortable with the truth. We need to be more like him and not worry about political correctness. We need to call it like we see it and do that boldly.
What are you witnessing in your life that needs to be exposed?
Let’s pray. Lord, there is so much violence and corruption in our world. I feel like it is a raging fire out of control. How can I help to put it out once and for all? Can you use me to turn the flames into ashes? Beauty can bloom from the ashes of destruction. Use me to help those caught in temptation and worry to break free. Protect me from the evil one as he tries to put lies in my head. You have made me strong, and together we can stand against the storm. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
