The Gospel of John 7:3-5 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“His brethren therefore said unto him, Depart hence, and go into Judæa, that thy disciples also may see the works that thou doest. For there is no man that doeth any thing in secret, and he himself seeketh to be known openly. If thou do these things, shew thyself to the world. For neither did his brethren believe in him.” (John 7:3-5 KJV)

These passages refer to men called "His brethren" who were the Lord's physical half siblings by His mother Mary with Joseph, her husband. This Bible truth brings to light the doctrine of a religious group that worships Mary and her image as being a 'perpetual virgin'. Let alone worshipping an idol of God's creation which is emphatically forbidden by God (Exodus 20:4-6). Mary, as with any human being and other created things, is not to be worshipped. The Bible declares that only God, the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, the Great I AM deserve our worship (Luke 4:8). Apostle Peter, also worshipped by many including his image, when he was still alive said to Cornelius who attempted to worship him: “Stand up,” he said, “I am only a man myself.”” (Acts 10:26b NIV)

These members of the family of Jesus urged Him with sarcasm and taunting to go and put on a show in Jerusalem. “His brothers said, “Why don’t you leave here and go up to the Feast so your disciples can get a good look at the works you do? No one who intends to be publicly known does everything behind the scenes. If you’re serious about what you are doing, come out in the open and show the world.” His brothers were pushing him like this because they didn’t believe in him either.” (John 7:3-5 MSG)

This was when many disciples abandoned the Lord Jesus after His preaching in Capernaum (John 6:66). This kind of attitude reflects a mindset molded by a belief system based on religious and worldly precepts of men. Not of God.

Thankfully, two of these brethren were confirmed to have seen the truth and received the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ later on. James the writer of the Book of James in the New Testament is believed to be the Lord's half brother. So as Jude, who wrote the short Epistle of Jude. God's grace is always available when we believe. It's never late for a turn around. In fact, as exemplified by Judas Iscariot (one of the first disciples but later turned away) and with the criminal that was crucified with the Lord Jesus on Calvary (whom the Lord promised to see in paradise), the Lord Jesus said in one of His parables: “So the last will be first, and the first last.”” (Matthew 20:16 ESV)

And I say, AMEN!

Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries

(When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.)

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