WE know the names of four of our Lord's brethren, James, Simon, Joses,
Juda (Mark 6:3). There seems to have been a large family. The idea (originating
with popery) is held by some that these were only relatives, not brethren in
the strict sense of the word. But the word used, and the connection show that
the family relationship is meant to be implied. In this family Christ was
brought up. He was the eldest. They cared very little for Him, and treated Him
with very little respect. It is a startling statement, but I think we can trace
this through all the days of Christ's ministry. When they said to Him (John
7:3), 'Depart hence, and go into Judaea,' they were taunting Him. What a burden
of grief must have come to Christ from this quarter! No sympathy at home!
Excepting Mary His mother (for Joseph seems to have died very early) He had
none to sympathise with Him in His home. How well, therefore, can He feel for
any who are similarly situated! Then, again, what prayers this must have drawn
from Him. You who have unconverted friends at home, do you pray as Jesus did?
These brethren must have done great injury to Christ's cause. 'They know
Him well at home, and they do not believe His claims!' What responsibility they
took upon themselves, what awful guilt was theirs! If there be any one of a
family wherein there are godly ones living for Christ, and you will not
acknowledge them, we say to you, What guilt is yours!
But we have evidence
which there seems no reason whatever to doubt, that after Christ's resurrection
a change took place. The James mentioned in Acts 15:13, and the Jude who wrote
the Epistle, were the brothers of our Lord. When the one hundred and twenty
disciples were met in the upper room, see, yonder comes in Mary, the mother of
our Lord, and who are these with her? James and Jude, Simon and Joses, for it
is said, 'Mary, with His brethren.' It seems, therefore, that all
Christ's brethren and sisters were changed after His resurrection. We point out
this to members of a family where there are unsaved ones. The Lord has often
kept the head of a family, or members of a family, praying, and the answer did
not come till after their death. Seek so to live that your life will speak
after you are gone. The Holy Ghost can turn the most unlikely hearts. These
brethren stood out Christ's prayers, His miracles, His sermons, His words; all
were in vain. One would have said, 'There is no hope of such men.' But there
was; and two of them became most eminent saints. Some stand out long
praying-for. What a start James and Jude took! 'Many that are first shall be
last, and the last first.'
But do not let unsaved ones delay. It is not
likely that you will be changed on your death-bed; if you are changed, it will
be in your lifetime, that you may afterwards live for Christ.
Turn to Him
now.
Transcribed from Reminiscences of Andrew A.Bonar D.D.
first published
LONDON, HODDER AND STOUGHTON,
27 Paternoster
Row
1895
HTML transcription files copyright © 2001-2006.
Jane Newble
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This sermon added 13 June 2001