Do We Redefine Jesus?
- jimstrecker
- Feb 1, 2022
- 1 min read
Growing up in Seattle, I didn't know my grandparents who lived in Ohio. Sure, I knew that my grandma liked to play golf and swim and that my grandpa liked to garden and raise bees. Birthday and Christmas cards and the occasional letters helped expand my picture of my grandparents. Yet, the picture I have of my grandparents is merely a shadow of the stories shared at their funerals. Based on my picture of my grandparents, I had redefined them and missed who my grandparents were.
Thinking of family can bring up many images, memories, and emotions. For some, a family is a safe place. For others, thoughts of the family are filled with hurt, brokenness, and grief. So, it may come as no surprise that Jesus' own family tried to redefine Jesus based on their distorted picture of Jesus.
John 7:1-5
"After this, Jesus traveled around Galilee. He wanted to stay out of Judea, where the Jewish leaders were plotting his death. But soon it was time for the Jewish Festival of Shelters, and Jesus' brothers said to him, "Leave here and go to Judea, where your followers can see your miracles! You can't become famous if you hide like this! If you can do such wonderful things, show yourself to the world!" For even his brothers didn't believe in him." (NLT)
Jesus' brothers, who lived with Jesus for about 30 years, didn't see Jesus clearly. Jesus' brothers knew about the miracles he performed, but they were looking for a messiah that would liberate and rule politically. Jesus' brothers tried to redefine Jesus to fit their picture.
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