Often, when reading though the gospels, I come across a passage I had never really paid much attention to before, but something in it jumps out and shows me something new about Jesus.
As I read this journal entry’s passage, which is one I had often skimmed over before, I found a great reminder of how Jesus was intentionally counter cultural – and this realization is directly related to a faulty assumption that Jesus’ own siblings make about who He is.
In verse 4, in the middle of Jesus’ brothers scolding Him for avoiding the spotlight, they give away their motives: “For no one does anything in secret when he himself seeks to be known publicly. If You do these things, show Yourself to the world.”
The first incorrect assumption Jesus’ brothers make is that Jesus is seeking to be known publicly. By this point in Jesus’ ministry, He has been gaining popularity, but His brothers incorrectly assume that fame is the goal. They reveal their motives in this request: they want to ride on Jesus’ momentum and be famous alongside Him as His brothers.
Nowhere in the gospels do I see Jesus seeking fame or attention onto Himself. He is repeatedly tempted to do so, but He never caves into the temptation.
The second incorrect assumption Jesus’ brothers make is that Jesus’ desire is to show Himself to the world. While in one sense, this is Jesus’ purpose in life, the context is completely different. Jesus’ brothers want Jesus to declare Himself as the Savior of the world when He is popular, and in a position of strength. Jesus’ purpose is instead to reveal Himself to the world when He is hated, rejected, and in a position of weakness.
Jesus disciples assume Jesus has pride in His heart. Pride desires attention and people’s focus. Jesus’ brothers want the status and attention, but Jesus isn’t interested. Everything Jesus did while on earth focused on helping the individual person, showing God’s love to those who society had rejected, and to give glory to the Father.
Jesus reveals this contrast in His response to His brothers, “My time is not yet here, but your time is always opportune. The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me because I testify of it, that its deeds are evil.” (verses 6b-7)
Jesus came to reveal how big the gap is between God and us. He came to show us that even when we are at our best, we are still not able to return to God. Jesus’ life and ministry speaks out against a world that says we can make it on our own. His ministry, from start to finish, reveals how we need God’s help, and how He came to meet that need.
But even with Jesus knowing His key role, He wants the fame to go to the Father. Jesus ministry was designed to make God famous. Everything in His ministry was focused on this one point.
This thought was inspired by studying the Walking With Jesus “Reflective Bible Study” package. To discover insights like this in your own study time, click here and give Reflective Bible Study a try today!
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