If truth be told—his brothers, much like many in his home town, do not believe in Jesus as the Messiah or the Son of God. John 7:5 EFP
Well, there you have it. This is why the vitriol aimed at their younger sibling. It explains why they were anxious to see him go to Judea and “show himself.” Their disdain for Jesus has reached such intensity they are encouraging his demise. They know what awaits him in Jerusalem. They know what the authorities are planning for him. But their animosity towards their brother has become overwhelming.
They simply refuse to believe in him as anything other than their little brother, much like the people in Galilee who would ask, "Isn't this the carpenter's son? Isn't his mother's name Mary, and aren't his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas?” (Matthew13:55 NIV). Messiah—impossible! Bread of Heaven—ridiculous! Son of God—blasphemous! Their brother the prophet has become an immense thorn in their side. They go from familiarity, to annoyance, to disdain, to rejection. I can’t help reach the conclusion that anything short of believing Jesus is everything he claims and that his life shows him to be, ultimately leads to my rejecting him completely. No one is immune to disbelief born in familiarity. It’s the worst kind. Lord, deliver me from unbelief.
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