Tomorrow is coming!

Matthew 12

46 While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him.

47 Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee.

48 But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren?

49 And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!

Have you ever wondered why Jesus did not stop and take time to see what His mother and brothers needed?  I have pondered on it a few times. Especially, since the Scriptures direct us to honor our father and mother. Jesus would not do anything contrary to Scripture.

As I was reading John 7, I began to understand a possible reason for Jesus' response. The Feast of Tabernacles was nearing, which is a feast that all Jews make a pilgrimage to Jerusalem to commemorate each year.

Jesus had been avoiding Jerusalem and the surrounding areas because many Jews were seeking to  kill Him, but it was not time yet for Jesus to be crucified so He abode in the areas around Galilee where His family lived.

Jesus' own brothers did not believe in Him. Perhaps, partly because they knew Him as their big brother growing up. Sibling rivalry has been going on since the first brothers were born to Adam and Eve.  Perhaps, partly also because of peer pressure and hearing the scorn of other Jews.  But they began to jab at Him with their words....  

"Depart hence, and go into Judaea, 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." (John 7:3-4)

They said these things because they did not believe in Him (Vs 5)  which made me wonder if perhaps their purpose in coming to speak with Jesus in Matthew 12 was not out of pure motives or purpose.  Jesus was trying to do Kingdom work.  His brothers coming may have been a distraction from the work He was trying to do. 

Jesus said in Matthew 12:50

For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.

Jesus' earthly brothers were not doing the Will of our Heavenly Father....at that time. But I was excited to read in Acts 1:14 that those same brothers were with their mother Mary and the other Disciples in the Upper Room on the Day of Pentecost when the Holy Ghost was first poured out. 

Somewhere, they had a change of heart and began to believe.  And they, too, received the Holy Ghost. 

This is a testimony and gives hope to us all not to give up praying for and believing our family shall be saved.  It does not matter what they're doing, what they're saying or how they're living today, because tomorrow could bring the change that causes them to turn to God and live for Jesus.  

Don't lose hope! Keep believing and praying because tomorrow is coming! 🙌