Jesus promised to remain with His disciples, even though the world at large would not see Him. While many witnessed Him as the Son of Man, they could not recognize Him as the Son of God. True disciples, however, know Him as the Son of God and find contentment in His abiding presence. Although His arrival in the first century changed history, the same spiritual blindness that kept people from recognizing Him then still exists today. For genuine believers, His physical absence holds no significance, for He lives within them.
His true brothers—wherever they may be—continue to bless humanity, regardless of the scorn or denial of skeptics. Knowing the brothers of Jesus offers a way to connect with the physical Jesus, much like those who walked with Him in His earthly ministry. These brothers are, in essence, no different from Him. The only distinction is that none of His brothers displays any outward sign of His identity. This raises a profound question: How can we recognize the brothers of Jesus in our time?
The Righteous and the Brothers
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you as a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'” (Matthew 25:37-40, NIV)
It is essential to understand that those who do good to the brothers of Jesus are not necessarily His brothers themselves. These individuals are identified as righteous and destined to inherit the Kingdom prepared for them since the creation of the world. The central insight is that Jesus’ brothers may not appear remarkably different from Him—they share the same dedication to living out His teachings in every aspect of their lives. Yet they are distinct from those who simply help others.
Jesus was not speaking about providing for His physical relatives—James, Joseph/Joses, Judas/Jude, and Simon—nor was He referring to people in general. Rather, He was speaking of His followers: those who had left everything in this life to follow Him. The righteous ones in Matthew 25:37-40 are comparable to those who cared for the seventy-two disciples sent on a special gospel mission:
“Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road. When you enter a house, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ If someone who promotes peace is there, your peace will rest on them; if not, it will return to you. Stay there, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house.” (Luke 10:4-7, NIV)
The Man of Peace
The “man of peace” does not know or expect the identity of the strangers he might host. He simply offers hospitality without recognition. This man of peace performs deeds similar to what Jesus described as caring for His brothers, all without realizing it. The righteous resemble the Good Samaritan—surprised when rewarded for their good deeds. They are not necessarily Jesus’ brothers, yet they will be counted among the righteous and honored, as in Matthew 25:37-40. Everyone is encouraged to live by this principle of hospitality.
“Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.” (Hebrews 13:2-3, NIV)
These scriptures about helping the needy are not directed exclusively at Christians, but speak to living righteously in this world. The essential message is to focus on doing what is right without assuming that such actions alone make you a follower of Jesus or qualify you as His brother. A true follower of Jesus is someone who surrenders everything to follow Him.
The Misconception of Blessings
A common misconception is that receiving a blessing in Jesus’ name automatically makes someone a Christian. In reality, a true follower sacrifices all worldly attachments to walk in His path. While there are suggestions about who the brothers of Jesus might be, such individuals are not always seen as worthy of honor. Society generally does not hold prisoners in high regard, often assuming they all deserve their sentences. This mindset typically stems from a lack of empathy or an inability to grasp the deeper things of God.
We should remember how Jesus treated one of the two criminals crucified alongside Him:
“We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:41-43, NIV)
The Unexpected Nature of His Brothers
Following Jesus is not difficult—except for letting go of the things the world values. Even a criminal can be counted among Christ’s brothers, as Matthew 25:37-40 suggests, and some of the poor—those without food or clothing—may be included as well. The truth is that His choices often do not align with human expectations, so there will be surprises when He returns.
His brothers frequently come from the most unexpected places. What matters to Jesus is the simplicity of the heart. He even said that tax collectors and prostitutes could enter God’s Kingdom before those considered religious (Matthew 21:31). In the end, God’s Kingdom overturns human assumptions, giving value to what people often despise.
“Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” (Luke 18:10-14, NIV)
This parable provides a clue about how the special group known as the brothers of Jesus is identified. In that time, tax collectors were viewed as among the worst sinners—government agents often corrupt, skimming from their collections. Yet the tax collector’s sudden transformation made all the difference, as he walked away from the life he had once cherished.
The Mark of True Transformation
Jesus used a tax collector as an example of the kind of disposition required for God’s Kingdom. This is not about boasting in sin—proof lies in the fact that one of the two thieves crucified with Jesus was not promised paradise. People’s opinions do not determine who Christ’s brothers are, and those identified as righteous are not necessarily among them.
His brothers form a unique group, not necessarily known for doing good deeds to strangers. In fact, they are often not admired by most. Jesus Himself was prophesied to be rejected, and He was, by His own people, even scorned on the cross. Sadly, the arrogance and self-importance seen in many Christians today stand in stark contrast to the humble nature of Jesus.
“He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces, he was despised, and we held him in low esteem. Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:2-5, NIV)
This prophecy points to the one who bears our sins—Jesus. Yet Matthew 25:37-40 speaks of His brothers, who resemble the figure described in Scripture, whose appearance is undesirable. The qualities of Jesus, as revealed in the Bible, can be seen in anyone who meets the standard to be called His sibling, regardless of gender. The key difference is that these are people saved from terrible, sinful circumstances. Through His cleansing blood, they can stand clothed in white, crowned to reign with Him, as described in Revelation 19:7-8.
The Foolishness of the Cross
“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written: ‘I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.’ Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:18-24, NIV)
Anyone wishing to be counted among the brothers of Jesus—when truly committed to Christ—must be ready to give up everything (Luke 14:25-33). A person’s sinful past does not matter, just as educational background or any personal profile holds no real weight. No sin is too great for Jesus to handle. What truly matters is the willingness to walk with Christ, even through the most difficult and unpleasant circumstances. Such concerns mean nothing to someone who has surrendered everything to follow Jesus.
The Gift of the Holy Spirit
“When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, ‘Brothers, what shall we do?’ Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.'” (Acts 2:37-38, NIV)
The key lies in what the final part of this Scripture reveals: “And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38). The gift of the Holy Spirit marks people as brothers of Jesus. What set Jesus apart from other humans was that He possessed the Holy Spirit. He was the Son of God because of it. Similarly, what distinguishes His brothers in this life is also the gift of the Holy Spirit. They become sons of God, and therefore brothers of Jesus, because the Holy Spirit dwells within them. Nothing else makes someone a brother of Jesus.
“The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God. You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness.” (Romans 8:6-10, NIV)
The Surrender of All Things
When Peter urged the Jews at Pentecost to repent and be baptized, he was reinforcing what Jesus taught in Luke 14:25-33. No one can truly be a brother of Jesus without first releasing everything they once valued. While this may seem difficult or even impossible, it ultimately comes down to choosing humility over pride. Pride—seen as the root of all evil—is the only real obstacle to God’s Kingdom.
When the Helper—the Holy Spirit—enters someone’s life, they no longer bear the burden of what happens next. Jesus takes the lead, and their role becomes simply yielding to the Spirit’s power, enabling them to do only God’s will. This is what makes them like Jesus and why they are called His brothers. The only effort required is complete surrender to Him.
“A crowd was sitting around him, and they told him, ‘Your mother and brothers are outside looking for you.’ ‘Who are my mother and my brothers?’ he asked. Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, ‘Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.'” (Mark 3:32-35, NIV)
Before Jesus’ death and resurrection, the Holy Spirit had not yet been given, but His presence was sufficient to sustain His followers. They followed His teachings and went wherever He led. That is why He told the Jews He was the bread of life (John 6:51). Even today, Jesus remains the bread of life for those who have not yet received the Holy Spirit, though this bread is found among His brothers—unrecognized by the world, just as the world did not recognize Him.
The brothers of Jesus are still among us, not recognized by looks or fame, but by the Spirit of God within them. While they receive nourishment themselves, their main purpose is to nourish others, much like Jesus did for those around Him. A Christian carries God within, just as Jesus did. They often appear in unexpected places, quietly present, inviting us to experience the living Christ through them—if we’re willing to see.
Andrew Masuku is the author of Dimensions of a New Civilisation, laying down standards for uplifting Zimbabwe from the current state of economic depression into a model for other nations worldwide. A decaying tree provides an opportunity for a blossoming sprout. Written from a Christian perspective, the book is a product of inspiration, relieving those who have witnessed the strings of unworkable solutions, leading to the current economic and social decay. Most Zimbabweans should find the book to be a long-awaited providential oasis of hope, in a simple conversational tone.
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