the BROTHER
Brother: from the Greek word adelphos which means: a brother; from "a" ( the first letter of the Greek alphabet), and “Delphus”; “a” is used as a prefix, and is used here with a sense of joining or connecting; and “Delphus” translates “womb”. Thus, adelphos (a noun masculine) literally means “joined to the womb” but is always translated brother. A brother: a member of the same religious community, especially a fellow Christian.
Brothers, Brethren: from the Greek word adelphoi which means: brothers or brethren (Plural of adelphos). The context is brothers born of (joined to) the same womb: Mary's. The word 'brethren' is used when all saints, men and women, are implied as brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus.
Sisters: from the Greek word adelphai which means: sisters. (“Adephe” is singular for sister. a sister, a woman, a member of a church, a Christian woman.) Adelphos and Adephai When used in context together implies joined to one womb, the womb of their mother; thus a brother and his sisters.
Thus the context is: Jesus is the Brother of James, Joses, Jude, Simon, and His sisters; all of whom were born of the same womb - Mary's! Jesus, and His brothers and sisters, are the sons and daughters of Mary the wife of Joseph the carpenter! The people of His home town of Nazareth, and other folks throughout the region of Galilee were personally acquainted with the family of Joseph and Mary, the family of carpenters! In the eyes of these local folks, Jesus was just an ordinary tradesman, from an ordinary local family, with ordinary brothers and sisters.
We might just wonder what this local family was like? Consider these insights to mediate on:
- the baby boy Jesus was Mary's Firstborn child.
- Jesus, plus his four brothers, and two or more sisters, means there were seven or more kids growing up in this family. Jesus would have experienced all the various interactions that occur between brothers and sisters; as well as interactions with their parents Joseph and Mary.
- Jesus and His brothers most likely were trained up into the trade of their father Joseph as carpenters. They would have worked closely together learning the business, and producing a wide variety of quality wood based products: furniture, structures, etc., and, as implied, were widely known by folks throughout the Galilee region.
- Jesus lived with in subjection to His parents for thirty years, and lived with His siblings, according to when they were born; up to the age thirty, when He left home to begin His ministry.
- During those years of growing up in Nazareth, Jesus, would have experienced all the normal joys and experiences of home town life, along with His brothers, sisters, parents, relatives, and friends. It says that during these years that“Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and stature, and favor with God and men.” (Luke 2:52)
But things changed once Jesus left home and begin His ministry. Many of His hometown folks took offense at His wisdom, and fame. Even His own brothers were having doubts about their Brother Jesus:
"Now the Jews' Feast of Tabernacles was at hand. His brothers, therefore, said unto Him, 'Depart from here, and go into Judea, so that Your disciples may also see the works that You are doing. For there is no one who does anything in secret when he himself seeks to be known openly. If You do these things, show Yourself to the world.' For neither did His own brothers believe in Him. Then Jesus said unto them, 'My time has not yet come: but your time is alway ready. The world cannot hate you; but it hates Me, because I testify of it, that the works of it (of the world) are evil.' " (see John 7:1-9)
The truth is: Jesus was sinless, and His brothers and others were (are) not:
"Seeing then that we have a Great High Priest, who hass passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin." (Hebrews 4:14-15)
During His ministry years, the viewpoint of Jesus, concerning who were really His true brethern changed! Consider this marvelous passage:
“Then His brothers and His mother came to Him; and, standing outside, they sent unto Him, calling Him. And the multitude sat about Him, and they said unto Him, 'Behold, Your mother and your brothers are outside seeking You.' And He answered them, saying, 'Who is My mother, or My brethren?' And He looked about on those who sat around and about Him, and said, 'Behold My mother and My brethren! For whoever shall do the will of God, the same IS My brother, and My sister, and mother!” (Mark 3:31-35)
Yes, Jesus did have physical brothers and sisters! But now, we who behold the Son of God, whom the Father did send to us, and who believe in Him - we shall be called By Him: brothers and sisters; and we shall have eternal life, and Jesus shall raise us up on the last day:
“All (people) who the Father gives Me shall come to Me; and those who come to Me I will in no wise cast out. For I came down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. And this is the Father's will who has sent Me, that of all (people) whom He has given to Me I should lose none, but should raise them up again in the last day.” (John 6:37-39)
“And we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He did foreknow, He also did predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son (Jesus), that He (Jesus) might be the Firstborn amongst many brethren. (Romans 8:28-29)
The good news concerning His brothers, is that after His resurrection, His brothers
were all counted as His disciples as mentioned in Acts 1:12-14. His Brother James,
became the very influential first Bishop of the Church in Jerusalem, and also wrote the
powerful letter of James! And His brother Jude wrote the Letter of Jude! And we …..!!!
And you....!! Let there be that moment when each of us stand before the
Judgement Seat of our Brother Christ Jesus, when Hes says to each of us,
Jesus is ...
the Brother
of
Jesus is
also the Brother of all those who believe in Him!
Jesus grew up in a large
family with His brothers and sisters!
Now we are growing up within a very large
family, the family of God in Christ Jesus!
Lord Jesus, You are my Brother; and You are my King and my Lord!
And You are my
Everlasting Father, and my Good Shepherd!
You are my Savior, and my God!
Thank You Father in Heaven for sending Your Son Jesus!
Thank You Jesus for
fulfilling the will of the Father on my behalf!
Come soon Lord Jesus!
My hope and prayer is that this devotional will help draw you close
to the Lord Jesus as you spend time in personal meditative thoughtfulness on
what this title or name means in regards to your own relationship with Jesus!
If you have been blessed by this devotional, then perhaps prayerfully
consider who you might share this page with.
May Jesus, who is our Brother, and our Everlasting Father, and our Mighty God, bless you,
and raise you up in the Last Day to be with Him in His Kingdom - forever and ever!
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