The people of the little village of Nazareth knew Jesus for many years, for he grew up among them, and they called him the Son of Mary, for his real father was unknown to them. But this shame was Christ’s honor and distinction, for God himself was his Father who begot him by the Holy Spirit through the Virgin Mary.
However, his four brothers whose names are mentioned clearly in the Gospel of Mark were not born of God, nor were they followers of Jesus. They were all younger than Jesus, and sons of Joseph, Christ’s father by adoption. James is first mentioned as the oldest of Jesus’ four younger brothers. He became, after Christ’s ascension, one of the elders of the church with Peter and John. Jesus appeared to his brother after his resurrection, and filled him with his Spirit. Then James wrote his Epistle to the churches (Read Acts 15:13; 21:18:1 Corinthians 15:7 and all the Epistle of James).
The evangelist Mark also tells us that before his ministry Jesus was a carpenter, who made roofs and windows for buildings. He also tells us that God only led Jesus to his office as Christ after James, his brother, had become mature and able to provide for the family, for Joseph, their father had died, and it is probable that Jesus himself had been responsible for the family’s support until that time through his bodily labor.
The people of Nazareth became astonished at the wisdom in his words, and the overcoming power in his miracles. They had not noticed anything of these gifts in his childhood, but now his divinity is sent out, and the essence of his Father is radiated in his love.
Jesus’ former friends and blood relatives did not recognize the source of his gifts, for they did not believe in his divinity, and the Son of God could not make miracles among them. You may say that God is able to do whatever he wills. Of course, God is able to create something from nothing, and to destroy in judgment those who deserve punishment. But where people do not believe in Christ, his Son, the Holy Spirit cannot glorify him through his constructive powers and his excessive wisdom. In the kingdom of God, there is no compulsion in faith, love, and hope. He who does not willingly open himself to the work of God’s Spirit does not experience his blessing.
But your faith has saved you. You have become responsible for your surroundings, and the Lord’s blessing runs to the others through your belief. Do not wonder if your family and townsmen rejected and persecuted you, for the same had already happened to Christ. You are no better than your Master. Learn from him. Do not hold fast to your hometown, which rejects you, but go to another area, which deserves you, and bear witness there to Christ, the wisdom and power of God.