One of the little known facts about Jesus Christ that is in couched within the Holy Writ is the subject of his relationship with his family. We know much about his interaction, concern and care of his mother, Mary. We know a little about the social intervention between him and his earthen father or step father Joseph. However, the focus of this text and the focus of this discourse is on his brothers.
Mary and Joseph produced other children after the birth of Jesus Christ. She was a virgin at her conception. She never knew the touch of a man. She was a virgin during her 40 weeks of gestation. She was a virgin during her hours of travail and delivery. And she remained a virgin until after the days of purification and would later consummate her marriage with Joseph and produced several children – both male and female.
The historical narrative of the scriptures skips the details of the Master’s childhood. We know not of his place of education. We know not of his friends that we went to school with. We know not of the daily tasks that he underwent. We know not of the relationships he developed with other children and young people. However, we do know that he was surrounded by an ever-growing family.
Jesus’ family was not a perfect family. It began with a sour note. For his mother was pregnant without the benefit of a husband or a health care plan. His father was wrestling with the idea of abandoning his pregnant betrothed before the wedding nuptials would take place. He would live under a roof of a man who was not his natural father. His younger brothers and sisters would be complete DNA matches with each other. However, there could not be a complete DNA match because in his veins ran the blood of his mother and the blood of his father, Jehovah.
His family was related to royalty but not benefactors of royalty. His earthen father, Joseph, had the position of a carpenter – one who has to repair soldier’s shoes and every day workers sandals. A carpenter, who spent most of his working day bent over the cobbler’s bench. He was not a rich man; however, he provided a lifestyle that suggests that Mary, Jesus and the siblings were adequately provided for. There are no signs of an intervention by a social worker to their home. There are no signs of police interaction. It was a home that barely made ends meet, but ends were met.
Perhaps a lot can be learned just in this introduction. Many of us in here are living in a generation of halves and steps. Little brother is a half brother and big sister is a step sister. Blended together by the union of mom and that man or dad and that woman. You may not look like your brother or talk like your sister. Your father may be tall and you may be short. Or you may be tall and your mother short. You may be living in a home with both mother and father or maybe your plight is that you live in a single parent household with only your mother or father there.
It’s easy to allow social situations and circumstances in our lives defeat us even before we get started. According to statistics with divorce increasing and social traumas increasing – with incest in the home and drug use at an all time high. You can easily get discouraged and find yourself trapped in a cycle.
We are living in times where there are now generational cycles:
There are second and third generation wannabe gangsters and we’ve even developed monikers for our gang progenitors by calling them “O.G.s” – original gangsters.
There are now second, third and fourth generation families trapped by the Welfare System. Momma was on welfare with several babies and grandmamma was on welfare with several babies and even though you promised yourself that you wouldn’t go out like that – you too are in the same boat.
There are now second and third generation drug and alcohol abusers. Those who have been affected by waves of cocaine into a country that allegedly seals its borders and you can’t find a Cuban cigar, but it’s easy to find cocaine in the inner cities. Where if you choose to go to jail for a little time, you use the expenses powder cocaine, but if you want to go to jail and stay a while, you use rock cocaine. Dads are drug users and grandfathers are drug users.
There are second, third and fourth generational folk all over our communities. The family has a history of violence against women. The family has a history of shacking up without marriage. The family has a history of theft. The family has a history of trouble. The family has a history of untruthfulness. The family has a history of unsettledness. The family has a history of much talk and little action.
What do you do when you are surrounded by these circumstances? It would easy to take the same route and say if momma did it, I’ll do it to. It would be easy to take the same route and say my brother was caught up and I’ll be caught up too. It would be easy to say my sister was hooking and I’ll hook up too. It would be easy to say my brother has an alternative lifestyle and I’ll live one too.
I’ve come to suggest today that you, yes you, can break that cycle. You can come up and come away from those who would tie you down. May I go on further to suggest that its not always family that ties you down? Sometimes it’s even the people you worship with every Sunday can tie you up. Sometimes it’s the same people you carpool with can wrap you up. Sometimes even the people you care about the most are the same ones who will try to tie your hands and feet.
Oh my brothers and sisters, the Lord told me to tell you today that you need to Break the Cycle. Don’t let your past circumstances tie up your future potential. Let the Lord be that breaker of the cycle. Let the Lord lift you up out of the muck and mire and place your feet on solid ground.
Jesus’ interaction with his family is a classic exposition and illustration of this sermonic dissertation. By the time the seventh chapter of John’s Gospel begins we find him six months removed from the conclusion of the sixth chapter. He has left the celebration of the Passover in chapter six (April) to be found in the outermost region of Judea during the Feast of the Tabernacle.
Josephus the early historian and theologian wrote that the Feast of the Tabernacle was one of the most festive and celebratory of the Jewish Celebrations. It was during the Feast of the Tabernacle that Israelites proclaimed their joy in the journey and in the search of the soon coming Messiah. People left their homes to joyously commiserate in Judea.
However, Jesus has just suffered setbacks and the biggest setback of his ministry. In John 6:15, he turned down the crowd’s offer to be their King. A multitude of disciples have left him in John 6:66. His credibility is questioned. There is a price on his head. There is a distain for him from the Pharisees, Scribes and Sadducees. He is in the third year of his three-year ministry and time is at a premium. And he now goes to his home region, Galilee, and is surrounded by his home folk – his “peoples.” He wanted to go to Judea, but there is a price upon his head.
Three points to gain from this discourse:
FIRST, SOME PEOPLE HAVE ALTERIOR MOTIVES
It seems not out of the ordinary. His brothers have given suggestions to Jesus. Imagine that! People who never have the experience and insight that Jesus has are giving advice to the Lord.
Their advice is:
“Go where more people can see your miracles. You can’t be famous hiding like this! If you’re so great, prove it to the world.” (The Living Bible)
“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’re doing, come out in the open and show the world.”
“Depart from this place and, withdrawing yourself, be going away in Judea in order that also your pupils might carefully observe your works which you are constantly doing, for no one is in the habit of doing anything under cover and he himself is boldly seeking publicity. Since you are constantly doing these things, make yourself known to the world.” (The New Testament: An Expanded Translation)
It sounds good. But John does not give us the liberality of thinking well of these brothers of Jesus. John says, it sounds good but let me give you the bad news – the brothers don’t believe in Him.
That is the cord of tension in this pericape. They grew up with Jesus. They saw him do great things. They saw him grow up and were not like the other children. A Christian Comedian once tried to describe Jesus’ childhood by saying that Jesus was visiting his cousin John’s house. It got late and he spent the night. Little John runs out to the Living Room and tells his mother Elizabeth, “Momma, Jesus is doing it again.” Elizabeth said, “What is he doing?” Momma, we are taking a bath and Jesus is walking on the water.”
See, there was tension in the relationship:
John 1:10-11 – He came to his own, but His own received Him not.
John 12:37 – He performed miracles in front of him, and they did not believe.
Even though his brothers James and Jude would write two books of the Bible – right now, they don’t believe.
If He had followed their suggestions, it would have meant at least Jail.
If He had followed their suggestions, it would have meant an angry mob around him.
If He had followed their suggestions, it would have meant a premature death sentence.
Somebody here understands that sometimes even your relatives don’t mean you any good. Even your children don’t mean you any good. Even your parents don’t mean you any good.
And how can they relate to this brother, Jesus?
They make sand castles, He makes a world.
They make appointments, He creates time.
They make dinner; His meat is to do the will of His father.
They sleep, He neither slumbers nor sleeps.
They work 8 hours a day, He is available 24/7.
They go to a doctor, He is the great Physician.
They are men, products of man and woman. He is both God and Man, who is from ever lasting to ever lasting.
Child of God, you need to understand that jealously and unbelief is dangerous from anyone. But even your own peeps can harm you.
You wanted to be a doctor, but THEY SAID be something else.
You wanted to buy a home, but THEY SAID renting is just fine.
You wanted to pursue a career, but THEY SAID you’ll never make it.
Secondly, KNOW YOUR TIME
The Lord said, I can read through your words. Let me tell somebody here – you need a lot of things in this life. But you need discernment. And you need some Holy Discernment.
Discernment is not only figuring things out, but listening to the Holy Spirit as He warns you of some things.
The Lord says that although your suggestion sounds good – it’s not my time. The Father’s not through with me yet. It’s not time to be in that position. It’s not time to be in that arena.
I have learned my brothers and sisters that Jesus was on a timetable – that timing was important to Him.
That’s why He didn’t die in a bad camel accident on third and main. That’s why He didn’t die in the second year of his ministry. That’s why He didn’t get baptized on His 15th Birthday. That’s why He didn’t die in 2002. He’s on a time table.
And if Jesus is on a time table – you and I must be on a time table. God has some things that are cut out for us – but at the right time.
That’s why children shouldn’t try to be grown at 12 – it’s not your time.
That’s why a 14 year old shouldn’t have babies – it’s not your time.
That’s why a 9 year old has no business wearing mascara – it’s not your time.
That’s why an 8 year old has no business waving a gun – it’s not your time.
The Lord’s Disciples as well need to know what time it is. And that moving out of time, especially appointed time is not wise. Jesus looks at his family and says you’re in your time – you ain’t going anyway, you ain’t praising the Lord, you ain’t moving forward in your life. So don’t stop me.
I need to confess that sometimes the Lord’s Folk need to understand God’s timing. And understand that God will allow you to go through some things and will watch you pray and pray until you think He won’t come through. But is there a witness here? He will come through. He may not come when you want Him to, but He’s always on time.
There is a time to move forward.
There is a time to stay still.
There is a time to step on faith.
There is a time to rest on His promises.
There is a time to open your mouth.
There is a time to shut up.
There is a time to offer your opinion.
There is a time to wait on the Lord.
There is a time to go to school.
There is a time to start your own business.
There is a time to dream dreams.
There is a time to make some decisions about your future.
Jesus says, leave me alone. It’s not my time. The Father didn’t tell me to go. And you can’t overrule the Father. You’re here comfortable but you don’t know what the world really thinks about me.
May I suggest that people will sit on the sidelines of your life? And offer suggestions on how you should act on the playing field, but they will never, never suit up for the real game.
It’s always amazing to me to hear folk give driving instructions, and don’t have a license or a permit.
It’s amazing to me to hear folk criticize someone’s cooking, and has never darkened the room of a Kitchen.
It’s amazing to me to hear folk speculate on how someone else raising their kids and they’ve never had a child.
It’s amazing to me to hear folk give advice on how to handle your husband when they’ve never been married, never asked to be married, never looked upon to be married.
It’s amazing to me to hear folk give advice on how the church should worship when they never lift up holy hands, never stay awake for service, and never praise the Lord.
The Lord says, you don’t know what it’s like to be me. If you’re going to break out the cycle, you’ve got to break out of the box. Dare to dream different. Dare to speak different. Dare to learn different. Dare to experience different.
Jesus confesses that a crowd can be dangerous. He says that they gather not to praise Him but to seek His death.
Let me throw this in for free…….. There is a fine line between a crowd and worshippers. A lot of people can gather together, but there is no power there because there are no worshippers. If a group of people gather together, and not lift up the name of Jesus, it’s not a church. If a group of people gather together, and His name is not praised, it’s not a worship setting. If a group of people gather together, and He’s not being worshipped, it is a mob and not a collective of worshippers.
Then the Lord turns the tables and says, if you think it’s that easy, you go to Judea.
Ah, my brothers and sisters, if you’re going to break the Cycle. You’re going to have to tell some people to go to……Judea.
You’re going to have to tell some friends, go to………Judea
You’re going to have to tell some loved ones, go to……..Judea.
You’re going to have to tell some church folk, go to……..Judea.
You’re going to have to tell some no good folk, go to…….Judea.
You’re going to have to tell some critics, go to……….Judea.
You’re going to have to tell some freeloaders, go to……..Judea.
You’re going to have to tell some people holding you back, go to…….Judea
Cut the ties.
Empty the glass.
Tear up the contract.
Release the chains.
You can’t go forward with people whose mind is not on your success.
Lastly, GO FORWARD WHEN IT’S THE RIGHT TIME
The writer John, whose emphasis in his gospel is to show to unbelievers that Jesus is Lord, painstakingly says, that the Lord did not move. He stayed in Galilee – but only for a while.
If you’re going to break the Cycle – you need to know when it’s time to move on.
Don’t move just because other folk are moving.
Don’t move just because you saw it in a dream.
Don’t move just because you felt a chill in your back in church.
Don’t move just because everyone else is moving.
Don’t move just because you have a corn on your foot that’s itching.
But before you move – that’s a good time for reflection. John says he abode there. But this Greek word, meno, means more that just sit there and do nothing. He LIVED in Galilee.
He went about his usual daily routine.
He kept on praying about His direction.
He kept on loving his family in spite of themselves.
He kept on hanging on to God’s unchanging hand.
He kept on listening to the Voice of the Holy Spirit.
Somebody here, that’s what God is saying, before you go out, meno awhile. Live here. Don’t stop living because of your circumstances.
The Lord stayed in Galilee. But his brothers decided to follow His advice. And the Word says that they went to Judea. I have discovered that some people have to see for themselves. They won’t take your word when God gives you a word. Jesus just told them that He can’t go there freely and that they could.
They should have stayed home and enjoyed the presence of the Lord.
They should have stayed home and took Jesus’ word for it.
But they decided to go on anyhow. But when they got there, nothing happened. Because they weren’t the one that the crowd wanted. I have come to tell you that when God has something for you to do, when you do it, He will open the eyes of people, He will make a receiving for you, He will work things out for you.
Jesus then decides it’s time to go to Judea. But not on the terms of the crowd. And not on the terms of the brothers. But on his OWN time.
However, somebody here knows that it feels like it’s your time.
Or that your time is about to come into play.
It’s time to understand that God is at work.
It’s time to understand that God has something better for you.
It’s time to understand that God is working on you.
It’s time to understand that God is about to deliver you.
It’s time to understand that God is about to set you free.
It’s time to understand that God is about to move you to a new level.
It’s time to understand that God is about to carry you through.
It’s time to understand that God has some work for you to do.
It’s time to understand that God is concerned about you.
It’s time to understand that God is ushering you to a new dimension of ministry.
It’s time to understand that God is about to give you a praise like you never had before.
It’s time to understand that God is about to give you a shout like you never had before.
It’s time to understand that God is going to use you like never before.
It’s time to understand that God is going to bless you like never before.
It’s time to understand that God is going to help you like never before.
Anybody here understands that when God is in the picture, He’ll carry you from place to place. From glory to glory. From valley to hills. From the ground to the air. And He’ll place you on a rock, that’s higher than I.
He carried Jesus ….. All the way.
He came from Heaven to Earth to show the way (He was born in a manger)
From the Earth to the Cross my sins to pay (He died on a Cross)
From the Cross to the Grave (He got up with all power in His hand)
From the Grave to the Sky
That’s why I lift His name on High!!!
