Topical Bible Study: Family of Jesus

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Family of Jesus

INTRODUCTION: Jesus the "son of David" was conceived in the womb of the virgin Mary by the Holy Spirit, as prophecy had declared would happen. Mary and Joseph were both obedient to their separate messages from the LORD that the child who was to be born is the Son of God. They were both from the line of David, and they followed the Jewish matters of the law such as circumcision and dedication for Jesus. Mary and Joseph had other children by natural birth; and belief in Christ for those children could only come by faith. Jesus apparently lived around family and friends for about thirty years before his baptism by John, . During the three years that Jesus taught and did miracles his fame spread widely, but there was always a mixture of acceptance and denial that he was truly sent down from God. That has continued to the present day: because the Holy Spirit must work in the heart to bring belief in the truth of the written Word.

NOTE: Bible passages are from the 1881 English Revised Version, (ERV).

A - GOD GAVE KING DAVID A MESSAGE THROUGH THE PROPHET NATHAN ABOUT THE HOUSE TO BE BUILT

1 Chronicles 17 "1 And it came to pass, when David dwelt in his house, that David said to Nathan the prophet, Lo, I dwell in an house of cedar, but the ark of the covenant of the LORD dwelleth under curtains. 2 And Nathan said unto David, Do all that is in thine heart; for God is with thee. 3 And it came to pass the same night, that the word of God came to Nathan, saying, 4 Go and tell David my servant, Thus saith the LORD, Thou shalt not build me an house to dwell in: 5 for I have not dwelt in an house since the day that I brought up Israel, unto this day; but have gone from tent to tent, and from one tabernacle to another. 6 In all places wherein I have walked with all Israel, spake I a word with any of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to feed my people, saying, Why have ye not built me an house of cedar? 7 Now therefore thus shalt thou say unto my servant David, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I took thee from the sheepcote, from following the sheep, that thou shouldest be prince over my people Israel: 8 and I have been with thee whithersoever thou wentest, and have cut off all thine enemies from before thee; and I will make thee a name, like unto the name of the great ones that are in the earth. 9 And I will appoint a place for my people Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell in their own place, and be moved no more; neither shall the children of wickedness waste them any more, as at the first, 10 and as from the day that I commanded judges to be over my people Israel; and I will subdue all thine enemies. Moreover I tell thee that the LORD will build thee an house. 11 And it shall come to pass, when thy days be fulfilled that thou must go to be with thy fathers, that I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall be of thy sons; and I will establish his kingdom. 12 He shall build me an house, and I will establish his throne for ever. 13 I will be his father, and he shall be my son: and I will not take my mercy away from him, as I took it from him that was before thee: 14 but I will settle him in mine house and in my kingdom for ever: and his throne shall be established for ever. 15 According to all these words, and according to all this vision, so did Nathan speak unto David."

COMMENTS: In chapter 17 of 1 Chronicles, David spoke of the house of cedar he had, and he desired to build a house for the LORD. Each time the word house is used in this chapter it is the same word in the original language; so the context can help to indicate whether it refers to a physical structure, family members, or descendant's. The message Nathan took to David from the LORD first said David would not build a house for the LORD. The LORD had taken David from the sheepgate and gave him leadership over Israel, but the LORD will provide the sure place of rest for Israel. The LORD was going to build a house for David! When David's time had come for him to go to be with his ancestors, the LORD would set up his seed after him of his sons, who would build a house for the LORD; and the LORD would establish his kingdom forever. The Son of God the Father shall be settled in the house and Kingdom of the LORD forever: and his throne shall be established for ever. Though David's son Solomon did build a physical temple, that temple did not last, nor did any of the restructured temples over the centuries. The Son of God would have an eternal throne as King, and his subjects would have eternal life in the Kingdom of God!

B - MARY AND JOSEPH EACH OBEYED THEIR MESSAGE FROM THE LORD ABOUT THE BIRTH OF JESUS

Luke 1 "26 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. 28 And he came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee. 29 But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this might be. 30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. 31 And behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. 32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Most High: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: 33 and he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. 34 And Mary said unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? 35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Most High shall overshadow thee: wherefore also that which is to be born shall be called holy, the Son of God. 36 And behold, Elisabeth thy kinswoman, she also hath conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her that was called barren. 37 For no word from God shall be void of power. 38 And Mary said, Behold, the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her."

Luke 1 "39 And Mary arose in these days and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Judah; 40 and entered into the house of Zacharias and saluted Elisabeth. 41 And it came to pass, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost; 42 and she lifted up her voice with a loud cry, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. 43 And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come unto me? 44 For behold, when the voice of thy salutation came into mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. 45 And blessed is she that believed; for there shall be a fulfillment of the things which have been spoken to her from the Lord. 46 And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, 47 And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. 48 For he hath looked upon the low estate of his handmaiden: For behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. 49 For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; And holy is his name. 50 And his mercy is unto generations and generations On them that fear him. 51 He hath shewed strength with his arm; He hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their heart. 52 He hath put down princes from their thrones, And hath exalted them of low degree. 53 The hungry he hath filled with good things; And the rich he hath sent empty away. 54 He hath holpen Israel his servant, That he might remember mercy 55 (As he spake unto our fathers) Toward Abraham and his seed for ever. 56 And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned unto her house."

Matthew 1 "18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. 19 And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily. 20 But when he thought on these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. 21 And she shall bring forth a son; and thou shalt call his name JESUS; for it is he that shall save his people from their sins. 22 Now all this is come to pass, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, 23 Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, And they shall call his name Immanuel; which is, being interpreted, God with us. 24 And Joseph arose from his sleep, and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took unto him his wife; 25 and knew her not till she had brought forth a son: and he called his name JESUS."

COMMENTS: Verse 26 of Luke chapter 1 refers to the sixth month of pregnancy for the mother of John the Baptist when the angel Gabriel was sent from God to Nazareth of Galilee, to the virgin Mary who was betrothed to Joseph. Those who are very familiar with the Bible may read over the details of this visit from Gabriel without pausing to consider how stunning this unexpected visit and message from an angel would have been. Mary was truly a virgin, and she was told she would conceive a son in her womb, and she was to name him Jesus when he was born. This child would He the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God shall give to him the throne of his father David: and he shall reign forever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. Mary wanted to know how this conception would take place, emphasizing that she was a virgin. The angel told her that the Holy Ghost would come upon her, and the power of the Most High would overshadow her: therefore the one born shall be called holy, the Son of God. That entire visit from an angel would have been an extremely unusual experience, but at the end Mary gave her will to the LORD.

Since Mary went with haste to see Elisabeth in Judah, seemingly some time during, or just after that three month visit, Joseph heard that Mary was with child. The text does not reveal how Joseph became aware that Mary was with child, but he was willing to dismiss the betrothal quietly rather than bring her public disgrace. The LORD had planned that Joseph, who was also a descendent of David, would take the role as father of Jesus, so Joseph was given directions by an angel of the LORD in a dream. He was to go ahead and take Mary as his wife because her pregnancy was brought about by the Holy Spirit. Joseph was also told that Jesus would be called Immanuel; which is interpreted as God with us, and he will save his people from their sins. Joseph took Mary as his wife, and they both continued in their obedient to the parental responsibility they were given from God. A few decades would follow with the years of family life, which included other children born to Mary and Joseph, and with Jesus continuing to be a part of that family until he was baptized by John and began his public ministry. Jesus is both son of David through the genetic line of Mary, and Son of God through conception in the womb of that virgin Mary by the Holy Spirit!

C - JESUS WAS TWELVE WHEN HE FIRST DIALOGGED WITH scholars AT THE TEMPLE

Luke 2 "41 And his parents went every year to Jerusalem at the feast of the Passover. 42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up after the custom of the feast; 43 and when they had fulfilled the days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and his parents knew it not; 44 but supposing him to be in the company, they went a day's journey; and they sought for him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance: 45 and when they found him not, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking for him. 46 And it came to pass, after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions: 47 and all that heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48 And when they saw him, they were astonished: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I sought thee sorrowing. 49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be in my Father's house? 50 And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. 51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth; and he was subject unto them: and his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. 52 And Jesus advanced in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and men."

COMMENTS: The parents of Jesus went every year to Jerusalem at the feast of the passover, and therefore Jesus likely had been there a number of times before he was twelve. It must not have been unusual for kinsfolk and acquaintance to intermix their children for the journey of several days between Nazareth and Jerusalem because Mary and Joseph did not miss Jesus during the first day of travel back to Nazareth. When they could not find Jesus, they made the one day return trip since they had left Jerusalem, and then searched three more days before finding the twelve year old Jesus. We are not told, but they likely had some other young children at this time and left them to safely return with the company to Nazareth. There also is no detail given of food or lodging for Jesus during the roughly five days before his parents found him.

When they found Jesus in the temple sitting in the midst of the advanced Jewish scholars, he was listening to them and asking them questions: and all that heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. Being astonished, his mother addressed him as Son, and asked why he had done this since his mother and father had searched for him in sorrow. Jesus asked why they had not known he would be in his Father's house, but they did not understand this reply. Jesus went back with them to Nazareth, and was subject to them as his parents, and Mary kept all of these things in her heart. The scripture says that Jesus advanced in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men. Only the gospel of Luke provides this information. There must have been more annual trips to Jerusalem, and other routine matters of life around family (parents, brothers, sisters) and friends for perhaps another eighteen years since Jesus did not begin his public ministry as the Son of God the Father until after his baptism by John. Considering the full number of years before he gave his life to be crucified as the lamb of God, there is a major portion of years that we probably don't often think about for the son of man and Son of God. Scripture does not give any information about when Joseph died, but there is no mention of his presence after Jesus was baptized by John.

D - JESUS BEGAN HIS PUBLIC MINISTRY AFTER BAPTISM BY JOHN

Mark 1 "1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. 2 Even as it is written in Isaiah the prophet, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, Who shall prepare thy way; 3 The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make ye ready the way of the Lord, Make his paths straight; 4 John came, who baptized in the wilderness and preached the baptism of repentance unto remission of sins. 5 And there went out unto him all the country of Judaea, and all they of Jerusalem; and they were baptized of him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. 6 And John was clothed with camel's hair, and had a leathern girdle about his loins, and did eat locusts and wild honey. 7 And he preached, saying, There cometh after me he that is mightier than I, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose. 8 I baptized you with water; but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost. 9 And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in the Jordan. 10 And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens rent asunder, and the Spirit as a dove descending upon him: 11 And a voice came out of the heavens, Thou art my beloved Son, in thee I am well pleased. 12 And straightway the Spirit driveth him forth into the wilderness. 13 And he was in the wilderness forty days tempted of Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him."

Luke 3 "21 Now it came to pass, when all the people were baptized, that, Jesus also having been baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened, 22 and the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily form, as a dove, upon him, and a voice came out of heaven, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased. 23 And Jesus himself, when he began to teach, was about thirty years of age, being the son (as was supposed) of Joseph, the son of Heli,"

Matthew 4 "12 Now when he heard that John was delivered up, he withdrew into Galilee; 13 and leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the borders of Zebulun and Naphtali: 14 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying, 15 The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, Toward the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles, 16 The people which sat in darkness Saw a great light, And to them which sat in the region and shadow of death, To them did light spring up. 17 From that time began Jesus to preach, and to say, Repent ye; for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."

Mark 1 "14 Now after that John was delivered up, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, 15 and saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe in the gospel. 16 And passing along by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net in the sea: for they were fishers. 17 And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men. 18 And straightway they left the nets, and followed him. 19 And going on a little further, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the boat mending the nets. 20 And straightway he called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants, and went after him. 21 And they go into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue and taught. 22 And they were astonished at his teaching: for he taught them as having authority, and not as the scribes. 23 And straightway there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out, 24 saying, What have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God. 25 And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him. 26 And the unclean spirit, tearing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him. 27 And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What is this? a new teaching! with authority he commandeth even the unclean spirits, and they obey him. 28 And the report of him went out straightway everywhere into all the region of Galilee round about."

COMMENTS: The first passage from Mark was my choice of a brief and general description that marked the beginning of public ministry including the statement that Jesus was tempted by Satan after his baptism by John. The few verses from Luke give his age at the time he was baptized. The passage from Matthew gives reference to the fulfilled prophecy of the wide region of darkness that received the light of truth from Jesus. In the second passage from Mark, Jesus began to select men to follow him, and he began to teach and work wonders in the regions of Galilee, which included Nazareth. Some of the passages in sections of this study were not selected to be in chronological order, and some passages may be repetitive, as the varied styles of the four gospels can make those things uncertain for me to determine.

E - JESUS HAD SOME STRONG REJECTION FROM THOSE WHO KNEW HIS FAMILY

Mark 3 "13 And he goeth up into the mountain, and calleth unto him whom he himself would: and they went unto him. 14 And he appointed twelve, that they might be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach, 15 and to have authority to cast out devils: 16 and Simon he surnamed Peter; 17 and James the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James; and them he surnamed Boanerges, which is, Sons of thunder: 18 and Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Cananaean, 19 and Judas Iscariot, which also betrayed him. And he cometh into a house. 20 And the multitude cometh together again, so that they could not so much as eat bread. 21 And when his friends heard it, they went out to lay hold on him: for they said, He is beside himself. 22 And the scribes which came down from Jerusalem said, He hath Beelzebub, and, By the prince of the devils casteth he out the devils. 23 And he called them unto him, and said unto them in parables, How can Satan cast out Satan? 24 And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. 25 And if a house be divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. 26 And if Satan hath risen up against himself, and is divided, he cannot stand, but hath an end. 27 But no one can enter into the house of the strong man, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man; and then he will spoil his house. 28 Verily I say unto you, All their sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and their blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme: 29 but whosoever shall blaspheme against the Holy Spirit hath never forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin: 30 because they said, He hath an unclean spirit."

Luke 4 "13 And when the devil had completed every temptation, he departed from him for a season. 14 And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and a fame went out concerning him through all the region round about. 15 And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified of all. 16 And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and he entered, as his custom was, into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up to read. 17 And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Isaiah. And he opened the book, and found the place where it was written, 18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, Because he anointed me to preach good tidings to the poor: He hath sent me to proclaim release to the captives, And recovering of sight to the blind, To set at liberty them that are bruised, 19 To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord. 20 And he closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant, and sat down: and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fastened on him. 21 And he began to say unto them, Today hath this scripture been fulfilled in your ears. 22 And all bare him witness, and wondered at the words of grace which proceeded out of his mouth: and they said, Is not this Joseph's son? 23 And he said unto them, Doubtless ye will say unto me this parable, Physician, heal thyself: whatsoever we have heard done at Capernaum, do also here in thine own country. 24 And he said, Verily I say unto you, No prophet is acceptable in his own country. 25 But of a truth I say unto you, There were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when there came a great famine over all the land; 26 and unto none of them was Elijah sent, but only to Zarephath, in the land of Sidon, unto a woman that was a widow. 27 And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian. 28 And they were all filled with wrath in the synagogue, as they heard these things; 29 and they rose up, and cast him forth out of the city, and led him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might throw him down headlong. 30 But he passing through the midst of them went his way."

COMMENTS: Mark 3:13 begins with Jesus calling the twelve apostles to himself. Then when some friends heard how he was drawing such a large crowd, they thought that he was "beside himself" and they wanted to take him away from the situation, but it did not happen. There also were scribes which came down from Jerusalem who said he was using power from the prince of the devils, and thereby cast out devils. Jesus did not ignore them as he first stated that Satan would not fight against himself. He then called them to listen as he told them that whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not have forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin: this was directed to them because they said Jesus has an unclean spirit. The passage from Luke chapter 4 describes a very strong reaction that began after Jesus read a passage he was given from Isaiah while in the synagogue in Nazareth. When he stated it had been fulfilled in their ears, the conversation after that became so offensive to them that they drove him out of the synagogue with the intent to throw him headlong over the brow of the hill. But Jesus simply passed through the crowd and went his way.

F - JESUS SAID THOSE WHO DO THE WILL OF GOD ARE HIS MOTHER AND BROTHERS

Matthew 12 "46 While he was yet speaking to the multitudes, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, seeking to speak to him. 47 And one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, seeking to speak to 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 towards his disciples, and said, Behold, my mother and my brethren! 50 For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, he is my brother, and sister, and mother."

Mark 3 "31 And there come his mother and his brethren; and, standing without, they sent unto him, calling him. 32 And a multitude was sitting about him; and they say unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren without seek for thee. 33 And he answereth them, and saith, Who is my mother and my brethren? 34 And looking round on them which sat round about him, he saith, Behold, my mother and my brethren! 35 For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother."

Luke 8 "16 And no man, when he hath lighted a lamp, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth it under a bed; but putteth it on a stand, that they which enter in may see the light. 17 For nothing is hid, that shall not be made manifest; nor anything secret, that shall not be known and come to light. 18 Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that which he thinketh he hath. 19 And there came to him his mother and brethren, and they could not come at him for the crowd. 20 And it was told him, Thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to see thee. 21 But he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it."

COMMENTS: In the passage from Matthew someone told Jesus that his mother and brethren stood outside and wanted to speak with him. Jesus brought attention to his disciples by motioning with his hands, as he made the important point that there is a family relationship with him, that belongs to those who do the will of his Father in heaven. In the similar passage from Mark, his mother and his brethren were outside the crowd and they sent a call for him to come to them. Jesus looked around at those who sat with him, and said that whoever does the will of God is therefore to him his mother and brother. In the passage from Luke the same principle is given, in that Jesus responded when he was told his mother and brethren had come and were outside the crowd wanting to see him. He answered by saying to them, My mother and my brethren are these (apparently referring to those in the crowd) which hear the word of God, and do it. None of these three passages have subsequent verses following his response, indicating that Jesus then did or did not, get together with his mother and brethren.

G - JESUS BEGAN TO GO TO FEASTS IN JERUSALEM IN THE POWER OF THE SPIRIT

John 2 "1 And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there: 2 and Jesus also was bidden, and his disciples, to the marriage. 3 And when the wine failed, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine. 4 And Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come. 5 His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it. 6 Now there were six waterpots of stone set there after the Jews' manner of purifying, containing two or three firkins apiece. 7 Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. 8 And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the ruler of the feast. And they bare it. 9 And when the ruler of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and knew not whence it was (but the servants which had drawn the water knew), the ruler of the feast calleth the bridegroom, 10 and saith unto him, Every man setteth on first the good wine; and when men have drunk freely, then that which is worse: thou hast kept the good wine until now. 11 This beginning of his signs did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested his glory; and his disciples believed on him.

12 After this he went down to Capernaum, he, and his mother, and his brethren, and his disciples: and there they abode not many days. 13 And the passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14 And he found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting: 15 and he made a scourge of cords, and cast all out of the temple, both the sheep and the oxen; and he poured out the changers' money, and overthrew their tables; 16 and to them that sold the doves he said, Take these things hence; make not my Father's house a house of merchandise. 17 His disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house shall eat me up. 18 The Jews therefore answered and said unto him, What sign shewest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things? 19 Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. 20 The Jews therefore said, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou raise it up in three days? 21 But he spake of the temple of his body. 22 When therefore he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he spake this; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said. 23 Now when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, during the feast, many believed on his name, beholding his signs which he did. 24 But Jesus did not trust himself unto them, for that he knew all men, 25 and because he needed not that any one should bear witness concerning man; for he himself knew what was in man."

COMMENTS: After the baptism of Jesus, John called attention to him as he passed nearby, and some disciples began to follow him. In John chapter 2, just three days after that, the mother of Jesus was able to get him to perform a miracle to turn water into wine at the marriage in Cana of Galilee, and the host said this wine was better than they had at the beginning of the celebration. This manifested the glory the disciples had heard John declare about him, and they believed in Jesus!

After that Jesus, his mother, his brethren, and the disciples went down to Capernaum, but they stayed only a few days. Jesus went up to Jerusalem for the passover of the Jews, and found in the temple money changers and others who were selling animals for sacrifice. He made a scourge of cords, and drove all the sheep and the oxen out of the temple, poured out the money and turned the tables over. He told the ones who sold doves to take them out and not to make his Father's house a house of merchandise. This was another thing that had impact on his disciples as they remembered that it was written in scripture, The zeal of your house shall eat me up. When the Jews asked him for a sign since he was doing these things, he answered that if they would tear down this temple, he would raise it up in three days. Their incredulous response was about the many years it had taken to build the temple, but Jesus was making reference to the temple of his body. This was another thing which later strengthened the faith of his disciples, because after Jesus was raised from the dead, they believed the scripture and what Jesus had said. While Jesus was in Jerusalem during the feast many believed on his name as they witnessed the signs he did. But Jesus did not trust himself to remain with them because he knew about the ways of all men.

H - JESUS WAS NOT ACCEPTED BY SOME WHO KNEW HE WAS PART OF THE FAMILY OF MARY AND JOSEPH

Matthew 13 "53 And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished these parables, he departed thence. 54 And coming into his own country he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works? 55 Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joseph, and Simon, and Judas? 56 And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things? 57 And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house. 58 And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief."

Mark 6 "1 And he went out from thence; and he cometh into his own country; and his disciples follow him. 2 And when the sabbath was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, Whence hath this man these things? and, What is the wisdom that is given unto this man, and what mean such mighty works wrought by his hands? 3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, and brother of James, and Joses, and Judas, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended in him. 4 And Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house. 5 And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them. 6 And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages teaching."

John 6 "38 For I am come down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. 39 And this is the will of him that sent me, that of all that which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. 40 For this is the will of my Father, that every one that beholdeth the Son, and believeth on him, should have eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. 41 The Jews therefore murmured concerning him, because he said, I am the bread which came down out of heaven. 42 And they said, Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? how doth he now say, I am come down out of heaven? 43 Jesus answered and said unto them, Murmur not among yourselves. 44 No man can come to me, except the Father which sent me draw him: and I will raise him up in the last day. 45 It is written in the prophets, And they shall all be taught of God. Every one that hath heard from the Father, and hath learned, cometh unto me. 46 Not that any man hath seen the Father, save he which is from God, he hath seen the Father."

COMMENTS: The passages from Matthew and Mark are very similar and may describe the same event with slightly different wording, but both include the response that the people in the synagogue knew him and his family. , and were offended by him. Jesus remarked that a prophet is not without honor, save in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house. In my Section I below, the passage from John chapter 7 underscores that point regarding the brothers of Jesus. The passage from John chapter 6 is in a different setting, but knowledge about Jesus and his family again gives cause for rejection of Jesus. This is especially true when Jesus says that he has come down from heaven, and all who believe in him will have eternal life and Jesus will raise them up in the last day; but no one can come to Jesus unless the Father draws them. Jesus directed their attention to scripture written by the prophets that all will be taught of God. So, all who have heard from the Father, and have learned, do come to Jesus.

I - THE BROTHERS OF JESUS DID NOT BELIEVE IN HIM AND WENT AHEAD OF HIM TO THE FEAST

John 7 "1 And after these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Judaea, because the Jews sought to kill him. 2 Now the feast of the Jews, the feast of tabernacles, was at hand. 3 His brethren therefore said unto him, Depart hence, and go into Judaea, that thy disciples also may behold thy works which thou doest. 4 For no man doeth anything in secret, and himself seeketh to be known openly. If thou doest these things, manifest thyself to the world. 5 For even his brethren did not believe on him. 6 Jesus therefore saith unto them, My time is not yet come; but your time is alway ready. 7 The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that its works are evil. 8 Go ye up unto the feast: I go not up yet unto this feast; because my time is not yet fulfilled. 9 And having said these things unto them, he abode still in Galilee. 10 But when his brethren were gone up unto the feast, then went he also up, not publicly, but as it were in secret. 11 The Jews therefore sought him at the feast, and said, Where is he? 12 And there was much murmuring among the multitudes concerning him: some said, He is a good man; others said, Not so, but he leadeth the multitude astray. 13 Howbeit no man spake openly of him for fear of the Jews. 14 But when it was now the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple, and taught. 15 The Jews therefore marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned? 16 Jesus therefore answered them, and said, My teaching is not mine, but his that sent me. 17 If any man willeth to do his will, he shall know of the teaching, whether it be of God, or whether I speak from myself. 18 He that speaketh from himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh the glory of him that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him."

John 17 "1 These things spake Jesus; and lifting up his eyes to heaven, he said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that the Son may glorify thee: 2 even as thou gavest him authority over all flesh, that whatsoever thou hast given him, to them he should give eternal life. 3 And this is life eternal, that they should know thee the only true God, and him whom thou didst send, even Jesus Christ. 4 I glorified thee on the earth, having accomplished the work which thou hast given me to do. 5 And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was. 6 I manifested thy name unto the men whom thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them to me; and they have kept thy word. 7 Now they know that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are from thee: 8 for the words which thou gavest me I have given unto them; and they received them, and knew of a truth that I came forth from thee, and they believed that thou didst send me. 9 I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for those whom thou hast given me; for they are thine: 10 and all things that are mine are thine, and thine are mine: and I am glorified in them. 11 And I am no more in the world, and these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep them in thy name which thou hast given me, that they may be one, even as we are. 12 While I was with them, I kept them in thy name which thou hast given me: and I guarded them, and not one of them perished, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled. 13 But now I come to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves. 14 I have given them thy word; and the world hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them from the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them in the truth: thy word is truth. 18 As thou didst send me into the world, even so sent I them into the world. 19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth. 20 Neither for these only do I pray, but for them also that believe on me through their word; 21 that they may all be one; even as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be in us: that the world may believe that thou didst send me. 22 And the glory which thou hast given me I have given unto them; that they may be one, even as we are one; 23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be perfected into one; that the world may know that thou didst send me, and lovedst them, even as thou lovedst me. 24 Father, that which thou hast given me, I will that, where I am, they also may be with me; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world. 25 O righteous Father, the world knew thee not, but I knew thee; and these knew that thou didst send me; 26 and I made known unto them thy name, and will make it known; that the love wherewith thou lovedst me may be in them, and I in them."

John 18 "1 When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over the brook Kidron, where was a garden, into the which he entered, himself and his disciples. 2 Now Judas also, which betrayed him, knew the place: for Jesus oft-times resorted thither with his disciples. 3 Judas then, having received the band of soldiers, and officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons. 4 Jesus therefore, knowing all the things that were coming upon him, went forth, and saith unto them, Whom seek ye? 5 They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, was standing with them."

COMMENTS: As the narrative continues into chapter 7 of John, Jesus was remaining in Galilee because the Jews in Judaea wanted to kill him. When it was time for the feast of tabernacles, his brethren said to him that he should go into Judaea, so his disciples there could see his works because no man does in secret the things he wants to be known about him openly. Even his brethren did not believe in him, so they said, If you do these things, then you should make yourself known to the world. Jesus told them his time had not yet come, but they should go on to Jerusalem because they were not hated in the way the world hated him since he testifies that the works of the world are evil. When his brothers had gone, Jesus left Galilee and went up secretly to the feast. The Jews were looking for Jesus at the feast, and they were divided as some said he was a good man and others said he led the people astray; but none of them spoke openly because they were afraid of the Jews who wanted to destroy him. During the midst of the feast Jesus went into the temple and taught, and the people were amazed about how much he knew as they said he had never learned. Jesus said if anyone knew the will of God they would know whether what he taught was just of himself or of God. Whoever speaks from himself seeks his own glory: but he who seeks the glory of him that sent him, that same one is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.

The passage I used from John 17 is somewhat lengthy, but it contains some beautiful truth about Jesus and salvation, that I wanted it to be directly available in this study for multiple review before moving on into John chapter 18 to the willing surrender of Christ to his capture and subsequent sacrifice for forgiveness of sin for those who believe in him. "And this is life eternal, that they should know thee the only true God, and him whom thou didst send, even Jesus Christ. I glorified thee on the earth, having accomplished the work which thou hast given me to do. And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was." "And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth. Neither for these only do I pray, but for them also that believe on me through their word; that they may all be one; even as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be in us." I like these quoted lines, but the full content of that chapter is precious. Then I only began with a few verses from John 18 because the key points I wanted about the crucifixion follow in chapter 19.

J - JESUS PLACED HIS MOTHER IN THE CARE OF THE DISCIPLE HE LOVED

John 19 "14 Now it was the Preparation of the passover: it was about the sixth hour. And he saith unto the Jews, Behold, your King! 15 They therefore cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar. 16 Then therefore he delivered him unto them to be crucified. 17 They took Jesus therefore: and he went out, bearing the cross for himself, unto the place called The place of a skull, which is called in Hebrew Golgotha: 18 where they crucified him, and with him two others, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst. 19 And Pilate wrote a title also, and put it on the cross. And there was written, JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS. 20 This title therefore read many of the Jews: for the place where Jesus was crucified was nigh to the city: and it was written in Hebrew, and in Latin, and in Greek. 21 The chief priests of the Jews therefore said to Pilate, Write not, The King of the Jews; but, that he said, I am King of the Jews. 22 Pilate answered, What I have written I have written. 23 The soldiers therefore, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments, and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also the coat: now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout. 24 They said therefore one to another, Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be: that the scripture might be fulfilled, which saith, They parted my garments among them, And upon my vesture did they cast lots. These things therefore the soldiers did. 25 But there were standing by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold, thy son! 27 Then saith he to the disciple, Behold, thy mother! And from that hour the disciple took her unto his own home."

COMMENTS: Matthew, Mark, and Luke do not have this detail about Christ speaking from the cross to Mary and John. There also are no names of other disciples of Jesus, or of this brethren being present at the cross, in any of the four gospels. There is no explanation of why Jesus wanted John to take care of Mary his mother, but the scripture states that John did so from that day forward.

K - THE BEGINNING OF THE HISTORY OF THE CHURCH

Acts "1 The former treatise I made, O Theophilus, concerning all that Jesus began both to do and to teach, 2 until the day in which he was received up, after that he had given commandment through the Holy Ghost unto the apostles whom he had chosen: 3 To whom he also shewed himself alive after his passion by many proofs, appearing unto them by the space of forty days, and speaking the things concerning the kingdom of God: 4 and, being assembled together with them, he charged them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, said he, ye heard from me: 5 For John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. 6 They therefore, when they were come together, asked him, saying, Lord, dost thou at this time restore the kingdom to Israel? 7 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know times or seasons, which the Father hath set within his own authority. 8 But ye shall receive power, when the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be my witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea and Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. 9 And when he had said these things, as they were looking, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. 10 And while they were looking stedfastly into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; 11 which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye looking into heaven? this Jesus, which was received up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye beheld him going into heaven. 12 Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is nigh unto Jerusalem, a sabbath day's journey off. 13 And when they were come in, they went up into the upper chamber, where they were abiding; both Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas the son of James. 14 These all with one accord continued stedfastly in prayer, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren."

Galatians 1 "11 For I make known to you, brethren, as touching the gospel which was preached by me, that it is not after man. 12 For neither did I receive it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came to me through revelation of Jesus Christ. 13 For ye have heard of my manner of life in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and made havock of it: 14 and I advanced in the Jews' religion beyond many of mine own age among my countrymen, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers. 15 But when it was the good pleasure of God, who separated me, even from my mother's womb, and called me through his grace, 16 to reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the Gentiles; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood: 17 neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me: but I went away into Arabia; and again I returned unto Damascus. 18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas, and tarried with him fifteen days. 19 But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord's brother. 20 Now touching the things which I write unto you, behold, before God, I lie not."

COMMENTS: Acts 1, Verse 14 identifies Mary the mother of Jesus and his brethren gathering with the apostles steadfastly in prayer. The apostle Paul wrote in Galatians chapter 1 that he went to Jerusalem and visited with Cephas for 15 days, and saw no other apostle except James, the brother of the Lord. As Jesus had said in Mark 6 "42 And they said, Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? how doth he now say, I am come down out of heaven? 43 Jesus answered and said unto them, Murmur not among yourselves. 44 No man can come to me, except the Father which sent me draw him: and I will raise him up in the last day. 45 It is written in the prophets, And they shall all be taught of God. Every one that hath heard from the Father, and hath learned, cometh unto me."

--- REFLECTIONS IN PRAYER ---

Lord Jesus, I thank you for the scripture that has allowed me to take some time and consider how difficult it must have been for friends and family of the Son of God who had observed common routines for several decades as Mary and Joseph had other children. What a change Then to know Jesus at age thirty, as je began to teach with authority and work wonders before many people. Mary and Joseph had been given very unique messages about the only one who is truly son of man and Son of God; but others who knew Jesus the son of Mary personally, could only reason from the natural realm until the Holy Spirit opened understanding of scripture about the one who came down from heaven to be born of a virgin. May those first thirty years of family life for the only one who was with the Father God before the foundation of the world, remind me to daily seek guidance from scripture as it is made more clear to me by the Holy Spirit. I am humbled and thankful that the Father has drawn me to my Lord and Savior Christ Jesus. Hallelujah, Amen!