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The Scriptorium

A Brotherly Challenge

Jesus is the Lord of His time, and all time.

The Gospel of John: John 7.1-24

Read and meditate on John 7.3-5.
Jesus’ brothers want Him to go to Jerusalem and do His stuff at the feast. This seems like a reasonable suggestion. But not to Jesus. Not yet.

3His brothers said to Him, “Go to the land
of Judah, so that Your disciples may
observe the works You do. 4No one should say
or do in secret anything while he
seeks to be heard and followed openly.
If You must do these things, then go and show
Yourself unto the world.” 5For it was so,
that even His own brothers did not yet
believe in Him.

- John 7.3-5

Reflect
1.  How would you describe the attitude of Jesus’ brothers here? Does it sound a bit snarky to you? Perhaps a little jealous, or clueless? A bit like Joseph’s brothers, perhaps (Gen. 37.3, 4)?Complete this prayer: Jealousy can be a powerful impediment to faith. Lord, keep me from…

2.  Is there an element of truth in the suggestion made by Jesus’ brothers? Explain. Lord, You have redeemed us to do good works, so that others can see You in them. Today, show me how…

3.  Meditate on verse 4. Jesus did many things in secret (think of Jn. 2.1-11, and Mk. 5.40-42); commended doing things in secret (Matt. 6.2-6, 16-18); and He spoke many things that were deliberately hidden from certain people (Matt. 13.11). Were Jesus’ brothers wrong? Explain. I don’t want to blare my faith at others, Lord; so help me to…

4.  Can you see how jealousy and unbelief are intermixed in this suggestion by Jesus’ brothers? Is there a warning for us here? Explain. Lord, keep me from anything that hinders belief in You, such as…

5.  What are some other attitudes that might keep us from believing Jesus? Bring together into one prayer the prayers you wrote from questions 1-4.

Summary
“His brothers, being led by their human thoughts, spoke these words to him. They wanted him to reveal himself before everybody through his signs so that they might also be glorified through him. They did not possess a perfect faith in him if they believed that he needed to reveal himself completely before everybody concerning the nature hidden in him and that he had to be exalted over everybody.” Theodore of Mopsuestia (350-428 AD)

If not even those closest to Jesus believed in Him – despite all His good works – this should serve as a warning to us. Judas fell away. Mark fled the mission field. Demas loved the world too much. How do you protect yourself against drifting into unbelief (Heb. 2.1-3)?

Closing Prayer
The LORD is on my side;
I will not fear.
What can man do to me?
The LORD is for me among those who help me;
Therefore I shall see my desire on those who hate me.
It is better to trust in the LORD
Than to put confidence in man.
It is better to trust in the LORD
Than to put confidence in princes.

Psalm 118.6-9

Psalm 118.1-9 (St. George’s Windsor: Come, Ye Thankful People, Come)
Thank the Lord, His love endures! All to whom His love is sure,
All who fear Him day by day, let them thanks and praise now say!
Out of my distress I cry; He will hear me from on high.
He will free me from all fear. What can man do to me here?

For the Lord stands next to me; He will give me victory!
Over all who hate my life, I will triumph through the strife!
In His grace I refuge find; in His steadfast love so kind.
Trust not princes, trust not men – Christ shall be our haven then!           

T. M. Moore

We are happy to offer each week’s Scriptorium studies in a free weekly PDF, suitable for personal or group use. You can download all the studies in our series on the Gospel of John by clicking here. Please prayerfully consider sharing with The Fellowship of Ailbe through your giving. You can contribute to The Fellowship by clicking the Contribute button at the website or by sending your gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, 19 Tyler Drive, Essex Junction, VT 05452.

Jesus is the Centerpiece of all Scripture, as He Himself explained (Jn. 5.39). But how can we learn to see Him there? How do the primary themes of Scripture revolve around Jesus? Our online course,
Introduction to Biblical Theology, shows you how best to get at, get into, and get with the Word of God, so that you can grow more consistently in the Lord. It’s free, and you can study at your own pace. For more information or to register, click here.

Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from
The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series IV a and b: John, edited by Joel C. Elowsky, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006. Verse translation of John by T. M. Moore.

T.M. Moore

T. M. Moore is principal of The Fellowship of Ailbe, a spiritual fellowship in the Celtic Christian tradition. He and his wife, Susie, make their home in the Champlain Valley of Vermont.
Books by T. M. Moore

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