Even His Own Brothers

It has been strangely encouraging reading through John's Gospel and seeing how the Lord Jesus faced discouragements in his ministry:

From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.

6.66

 For even his own brothers did not believe in him.

7.5

 Even after Jesus had performed so many signs in their presence, they still would not believe in him.

12.37

Even Jesus, who was perfect in every way- perfect techniques, strategies and words and actions witness- saw discouragements of people (even his brothers) not believing and others turning away. I'm so thankful that Jesus really does understand what we face because he has been there before us and faced it himself:

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.

Heb 4.15

 I'm also thankful for this verse in Acts which shows we need to remember to have a longer term vision than we generally have and be patient for God's perfect timing:

They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.

1.14