Show Yourself to the World - John 7:4

John the apostle wrote how, “Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill him. His brethren therefore said unto him, Depart from here, and go into Judaea, that your disciples also may see the works that you do”, and in chapter seven and verse four of his book, John shared how Jesus' brothers tell Him, “there is no man that does any thing in secret, and he himself seeks to be known openly” where we read:

For there is no man that does any thing in secret, and he himself seeks to be known openly.

If you do these things, show yourself to the world.

The verse reads, “For there is no man that does any thing in secret, and he himself seeks to be known openly.” John began with the words, “For there is no man” or “because, since and on account that there exists no person whether male or female” “that does any thing in secret” which means “who performs, produces and makes ready any particular thing that is hidden, concealed or private”, “and he himself” or “and that person their own self” “seeks to be known openly” which means “desires, requires and demands to be free, without concealment, ambiguity or circumlocution”. John shared how Jesus' brothers told Him no one “performs” their acts and deeds in a hidden manner but rather “out in the open” so they can be “revealed”.

The verse continues, “If you do these things, show yourself to the world.” John added the words, “if you do these things” which means “whether you, Jesus, perform, produce and make ready your acts and deeds”, “show yourself” or “make manifest, visible and exposed your own self” “to the world” which means “to the earth and the people within it”. John shared how Jesus' brothers wanted Him to “manifest” Himself when He performed His “acts and deeds”.

When we meditate upon John's words in this verse, we learn how Jesus' brothers challenged Him to make Himself known to the world by His “works and deeds”. They could not understand why Jesus would “hide” Himself if He was indeed the “Christ” He claimed to be. We shall see how Jesus' brothers did not “believe” in Him at this point, and many people who do not “trust” in Jesus want Him to perform some sort of “public” work or deed to prove Himself. Jesus is the “Christ” and “Son of God”, and He came to pay the price for the sins of the world. He and His Father God's timing were perfect, and the time would come for Him to be “openly exposed”. Those who are wise will examine all Jesus came to do for them and submit to Him as their personal “Savior and Lord” as they do.

Next time John shares, “neither did his brethren believe in him”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".