Scriptures: John 7:3-5 (NLT) – “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.”

1 Corinthians 15:3-10 (NLT) – “For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve.  After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep.  Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.  For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.  But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect.”

Message: Family dynamics are often challenging.  Especially sibling squabbles and competition that lead to differences that are hard to overcome.  Sibling rivalry, often seeking to create differences, can be intense and hurtful, often lasting well into adulthood.   

Scripture leads us to believe this could be the case in the home of Mary and Joseph.  We read in Mark “his mother and brothers came to take control of him because he was out of his mind.”  (Mark 3:20-21; NLT).  The apostle John writes his own brothers were skeptics saying “For even his own brothers did not believe in him.”  They mocked Him saying He should “go to Judea, where your followers can see your miracles!” (John7:3-5; NLT).  Sound like brothers to you?  Did Jesus face the same sibling rivalry we do? 

Something eventually changes between Jesus and His brothers, James and Jude.  James eventually joins with Peter and John to become “pillars” of the church in Jerusalem and helps to resolve issues during the Jerusalem Council with Paul and Barnabas.  Both James and Jude write letters that are included in the New Testament. 

Does Easter become their turning point?  The two brothers join the apostles and others in the upper room waiting for Jesus to appear after the Ascension as they all wait for the Holy Spirit.  Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 15:5 “he [Jesus] appeared to Cephas [Peter], and then to the Twelve” , and later in 1 Corinthians 15:7 “Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles,”.  It’s significant here that Paul mentions James by name.  Wouldn’t you have liked to have been a fly on a wall in the upper room?

This writer is grateful to be a post Easter disciple with the testimony of two of Jesus’ brothers.  Let us all find Joy in knowing the hope we have in Easter can be our turning point.

Prayer: Father thank You for two brothers who bring power to the Easter story.  May You find us in this season following in their steps, seeking You in all we do.  In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  Amen.

John Berry

Georgianna Church, Merritt Island, Florida

Revised:  February 01, 2026