1 After this, Jesus went around in Galilee, purposely staying away from Judea because the Jews there were waiting to take his life. 2 But when the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles was near, 3 Jesus' brothers said to him, "You ought to leave here and go to Judea, so that your disciples may see the miracles you do. 4 No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world." 5 For even his own brothers did not believe in him.
Sadly, we yet again discover in our verses for today that close proximity to Jesus - either by familial ties or as a disciple - does not guarantee faith. John tells us in the first chapter of his gospel:
10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. John 1:10-11 (NIV)
Their hearts being hardened by the deceitfulness of sin, they shamefully fail to recognize their Maker. Human ignorance and blindness brought on by constantly turning from the Truth to our own ways will harden hearts of flesh to stone. We too should continually be aware of this in our own lives as the Bible describes our turning as rebellion. The prophet Isaiah’s words give us further insight regarding this point:
2 Hear, O heavens! Listen, O earth! For the LORD has spoken: "I reared children and brought them up, but they have rebelled against me. 3 The ox knows his master, the donkey his owner's manger, but Israel does not know, my people do not understand." 4 Ah, sinful nation, a people loaded with guilt, a brood of evildoers, children given to corruption! They have forsaken the LORD; they have spurned the Holy One of Israel and turned their backs on him. Isaiah 1:2-4 (NIV)
We find the following in the gospel of John regarding yet again the irrationality, ignorance and blindness brought on by sin:
37 Even after Jesus had done all these miraculous signs in their presence, they still would not believe in him. John 12:37 (NIV)
Jesus, purposely staying away from those seeking to take His life, was tauntingly urged on to Judea by His unbelieving brothers. Mistakenly thinking that Jesus was out to pursue the limelight, they wrongly reasoned His intention was simply to make His name great through the miraculous rather than being on a mission from God to save the souls of men – theirs included.
Certainly taunting sarcastic remarks from those closest to us pierce our hearts like swords or flaming arrows. Those that should know us better - that should love and encourage us more - can definitely disappoint us even greater than most by their careless and reckless words. Contrast that to the soothing encouraging words spoken in our hearing which sweetly apply a balm to our weary souls. Those who are faithful in such a practice of encouragement deliver abundant blessing and healing to others. Scripture tells us:
18 Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Prov 12:18 (NIV)
Truly our Lord Jesus learned through painful experiences how to sympathize with all of our life encounters and happenings. He is the God of all comfort as He has walked in our shoes – housed also in a fleshly jar of clay - albeit fully God. Scripture encouragingly tells us:
3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. 5 For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. 2 Cor 1:3-5 (NIV)
15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet was without sin. 16 Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Heb 4:15-16 (NIV)