NAMED, BUT UNKNOWN: ANOTHER SIMON

We know about Simon Peter, the fisherman turned disciple.

We know about Simon the leper, the father of Lazarus, Martha, and Mary.

And, we know about Simon the Cyrenian who carried the cross for Jesus.

But there is still another Simon. He is named, but largely unknown.

We know Simon’s brother… James, a leader in Jerusalem’s church (Acts 15:13; Galatians 2:9) and author of the Epistle of James. We also know something of his brother Jude (or Judas), the author of the Epistle of Jude.

Simon was the brother of James and Jude … and drum roll … the half-brother of Jesus. Jesus had four brothers: “James, Joseph (Joses), Simon, and Judas” (Matthew 13:55; Mark 6:3).

They grew up under the same roof. They attended the same synagogue school. They worked in the same carpenter’s shop. Still, it was near-impossible for His half-brothers to see Him as the Messiah… To them, Jesus was just the oldest boy in the family. “Not even his brothers believed in him” (John 7:5).

But something happened to change their hearts. Grace happened!

After Jesus’ death, burial, resurrection, and ascension, the eleven Apostles lead the church to worship and pray. “They all were continually united in prayer, along with the women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers” (Acts 1:14) … that included Simon.

He is named… and mostly unknown. Mostly…

“… think on these things” (Philippians 4:8, KJV).