Christ’s life was saddened by the unbelief of His stepbrothers. They didn’t understand His mission and thought He should be following the teachings of the scribes and Pharisees. What a support they could have been to Christ’s ministry if they had believed He came from heaven. Their unbelief caused Jesus grief and helped make His life a burdensome one. Often they approached Him with the threadbare philosophy of the Pharisees, presuming they could teach Him who understood all truth. They freely condemned what they didn’t understand.
It was a relief for Him to visit the home of Mary, Martha and Lazarus where He found receptive believing friends in an atmosphere of faith and love. Yet there were none on earth that could fully understand His divine mission for mankind or know His burden to reconcile humanity back to His Father. Often Christ found relief only in being alone, communing with His Heavenly Father. “All we like sheep have gone astray, and turned everyone to his own way, and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” (Isaiah 53:6)
Those who accept Christ as their Savior and Friend are not left alone to struggle through life’s trials that come their way. They can be comforted knowing He endured the same. He sees, He knows, He cares. He invites them to come and find the help He found in companionship with the Heavenly Father. They are received as members of the heavenly family. Christ bids them call His Father their Father. His tenderness and love toward them far exceeds any earthly father or mother has toward their child even as the divine is far above the human. “Fear not” He says, “for I have redeemed you, I have called you by name; you are Mine.” (Isaiah 43:1)
If you have a question for Bible Mentor Marie Odell you can contact her by emailing: marieodell04@gmail.com
Marie Odell is a member of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church.
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