April 24, 2023
Focusing On the Few
“After these things Jesus was walking in Galilee, for He was unwilling to walk in Judea because the Jews were seeking to kill Him. Now the feast of the Jews, the Feast of Booths, was near. Therefore, His brothers said to Him, ‘Leave here and go into Judea, so that Your disciples also may see Your works which You are doing. 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.’ For not even His brothers were believing in Him.”
John 7:1-5 (NASB)
For those of us who come from large families, some of us mesh better with other siblings. My youngest sister and I shared this common bond. Perhaps it was because we hung out with common friends, or shared the same temperament. I have an older brother and sisters in our family, but they didn’t live at home during our childhood. As a young child, I looked up to my older brother. I thought he had a great life. He lived on his own at the time and was making fairly good money. I wanted an exciting life like this one day, but unfortunately none of us know the future. Some of us will have ordinary lives, while others have career packed adventures that others never experience. Jesus’ life was far from ordinary. His brothers had a choice to be a part of His life, but they weren’t there yet. They were still questioning their belief in Him.
“After these things…” About six months have transpired since Chapter Six, which took place in the month of April around the time of Passover. The Feast of Tabernacles begins in Chapter Seven in the month of October. Nothing is recorded between this period by John, except for “Jesus was walking in Galilee.” Other gospel writers indicate Jesus’ activities and the places He traveled, performing miracles, healings, and casting out demons; however, most of the six months was spent discipling the twelve. The hostility was also growing toward Jesus, so He avoided a lot of events which would draw attention. During this time, He taught the twelve extensively. He shared the upcoming events, which would eventually lead to His death, and resurrection. He even gave them a taste of His divine glory during this time. MacArthur says, “That Jesus spent only two days with the large crowd (perhaps 20,000 people) mentioned in Chapter Six, but the six months predominately involved the twelve is highly significant. It shows the primary focus of the Lord’s ministry was not on mass meetings, but on discipleship. He devoted His time and effort to the small core of men who would carry on His ministry after He was gone.”[1] Jesus may have avoided big crowds during this time, but this didn’t change His direction on the plan of God. He must prepare His followers for the future. Who would carry on after He was gone? For now, it involved building into the lives of his twelve disciples. He also knew his followers needed to be prepared when He left this world. This particular relationship with became very special. He might have been raised with His step-brothers and step-sisters, but this family He chose were something special. They were part of the Kingdom of God. They were His brothers and sisters in God’s family.
I count my church family as my family just as Jesus with His disciples. They are very special to me. I share something special that not all my family has. I share a common bond in Christ Jesus. Recognize today there may be times when you will not mesh with your blood family. It is because your life ahead involves God and His purposes for your life. So, mesh where you can with your blood family, and pray they will come to know Jesus Christ one day.
[1] (John MacArthur, 2006), 279.