BOOK OF JAMES - INTRODUCTION (2020)
James is a short, practical and very powerful book.
At the time James was written, the first church did not have even one of the four Gospels. They did not have the clear teachings about Salvation that would come later in the book of Romans. They did not have all of the clear instructions and corrections for day to day church life; that would also come later, given by Paul in First and Second Corinthians. Of course that great prophetic masterpiece, Revelation, they would know nothing at all about.
The only other book of New Testament scripture that they might have been able to read would be Paul’s letter to the Galatians. And, interestingly, the books of Galatians and James provide a needed balance for each other.
To really appreciate this book, we not only need to know a little about the time this book was written, but, … if possible, we need to ‘meet’ the human author, and then we need to know a little bit about the persons to whom he was writing.
Several men with the name of James are mentioned in the New Testament. Which one wrote this book … and does it really make any difference that we find out?
It does, actually. Rather than just ‘come right out and say’ which James wrote the book, let’s use the process of elimination.
In the list given in Mark 3:16-19 of the twelve disciples, Peter James and John stand out from the others (Mark 5:37, 9:2, 13:3 etc.).
Several times in the gospels you will read something similar to, “... and Jesus took with Him, Peter James and John”. These three seemed to be right at the center of things. I suppose we could call them ‘the inner circle’.
Peter was the one who walked on water with Jesus, at Jesus’ trial strongly denied even knowing Him, stood up on the day of Pentecost and preached that marvelous first sermon after which 3000 persons were baptized. Should he be the one who could assume the title of 'Pastor' over that first church in Jerusalem?
But it was James, the brother of John, who after Pentecost, became the leader of the first church and remained the pastor for 3 or 4 years … until the day King Herod had him arrested, put in prison and executed1.
John, his brother is never listed as a leader in Jerusalem, but he is noted for church planting and pastoring in Ephesus. John wrote a gospel, three small letters and the book of Revelation. John and his brother suggested calling down fire from heaven to burn up a small Samaritan town, so Jesus nick-named the two brothers, ‘the Sons of Thunder’.
Here is the complete list of the twelve disciples:
And Simon he surnamed Peter; James the son of Zebedee and John the brother of James, to whom He gave the name Boanerges, that is, "Sons of Thunder";
Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Cananite; and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him. Mark 3:16-19
Immediately after James (one of the Sons of Thunder) was executed … a second James stepped up and became pastor of the Jerusalem church. This is the James who wrote the book we are now studying.
Who was this James? It would make sense that the new pastor of the Jerusalem church should one of the twelve apostles.. But, as near as we can determine, James, the son of Alphaeus (an apostle) was not the second pastor of the church. The scriptures will make it clear who this James was.
1. Jesus had siblings who were the product of Mary and Joseph2.
2. None of the brothers believed in Jesus until after Jesus’ resurrection3. John 7:5
3. Jesus appeared to many after His resurrection but there is a specific mention that He appeared to James. I Corinthians 15: 3 - 74
So we can make some significant observations from what we have discovered so far.
a. Jesus’ brother James did not have the same intense training that the twelve apostles had. During the time Jesus was traveling from place to place with the 12, Jesus' brothers were at home, not believing that Jesus was God’s son.
b. Jesus, while dying on the cross, assigns the care of his mother, Mary, over to John ( a very strong believer who was called the 'Disciple whom Jesus loved'), rather than over to one of His own brothers.
c. After Jesus rises from the dead He, Jesus, appears to James. This was a showing of proof to His half brother, that He, Jesus, was who He said he was.
d. James would then have a lot of learning to do in a short while. It is hard to imagine how he could be the lead pastor in Jerusalem in so short a time, but such seems to be the case. Quite early on in his position in the church he wrote the book of James.
So let's begin.
James 1:1 ¶ JAMES, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, sends greeting to the twelve dispersed tribes.
Note James' attitude about himself.
He mentions that he is a servant of --- God. He does not mention a trinity here, but he is putting God and the Lord Jesus Christ on the same level. Why does he even mention Jesus, apart from God? Could it have anything to do with Jesus being his half brother in the flesh … who he did not believe in until the resurrection … and now, humbly calls himself a servant of Jesus?
Why, do you suppose, did Jesus’ brothers not believe in Him until after the resurrection?
Here is a clue:
But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honour except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house." Mark 6:4
Jesus suffered this within his own family. It is not only prophets, by the way, that experience a lack of respect. Painters of old, who we now consider famous, had a difficulty selling any paintings in their own home towns. Van Gogh managed to sell only one painting in his entire lifetime, yet his paintings now sell for millions of dollars.
In Matthew 13 verses 54 to 57 we read, 54 He went to His own home town, and kept teaching in their synagogue in such a way that they were dumbfounded, and said, "Where did He get this wisdom and this power to do such wonder-works?55 Is He not the carpenter’s son? Is not His mother’s name Mary, are not His brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas?56 And are not His sisters all living here with us? Where then did He get all these things?" 57 And so they found a cause for stumbling over Him. But Jesus said to them, "A prophet never fails to be honored except in his native neighborhood and in his own home." And so 58 He did not do many wonder-works there, because of their lack of faith.
(Williams Translation)
Jesus' family was even closer to Him than His hometown associates.
It seems to me that it would be very difficult for his brothers, growing up with Him, to see Him as anyone other than simply their brother. It is impossible to know what mother Mary told the family about Jesus. But we do know that Jesus never sinned. I wonder if His brothers and sisters were irritated by the fact that he never got into trouble, never needed disciplining, and always did the right thing.
As it turned out, his siblings, so it appears, only understood that He was God in the flesh … after the crucifixion and resurrection.
We experience a bit of that when one spouse comes to Christ and has to live his or her life in front of their partner … in as holy a manner as possible. Anything that is said would be resisted as being 'preachy'
How do we best ‘win’ a family member to Jesus? A spouse, for example? Peter clearly states that it does not happen by the words we speak. He says it happens by our behaviour. Peter says,
In the same spirit you married women should adapt yourself to your husbands, so that even if they do not obey the Word of God they may be won to God without any word being spoken, simply by seeing the pure and reverent conduct of you, their wives. 1Peter 3:1
He is mentioning how wives should win their lost husbands to Jesus, “without any word being spoken” but I would think a similar method should be used if it is the other way around.
After His resurrection Jesus appeared to his disciples, but it is mentioned that He appeared in particular to his brother James.
Paul wrote regarding the resurrection of Jesus,
“ … that he was buried and rose again on the third day, again as the scriptures foretold.
5 He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve, 6 and subsequently he was seen simultaneously by over five hundred Christians, of whom the majority are still alive, though some have since died. 7 He was then seen by James, then by all the messengers. (Apostles)
8 And last of all, as to one born abnormally late, he appeared even to me! 1Corinthians 15:4-8
He was then seen by James … As James saw his brother Jesus, alive from the dead, he had to humble himself before his brother and no doubt apologize for his unbelief and perhaps for the hard time he had given Jesus over the years.
Have you ever had to humble yourself before a family member or friend and ‘eat crow’ (as they say)? Here are several verses that are worth considering when it comes to pride vs humility.
Christians should always be characterized by humility and not by pride. Here are some biblical references that bear this out:
Let another man praise you, and not your own mouth; A stranger, and not your own lips. Proverbs 27:2
Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up. James 4:10
Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble." 1Peter 5:5
So, James, the half-brother of Jesus is the author of this book.
To whom is James writing? …. To the 12 tribes … This is another way of saying ‘Israel’, or ‘the Jews’.
But even though at first glance it appears to be a way of addressing the Jews in general, that is not the case.
The first Christian church was planted in Jerusalem and the first members were all ethnic Jews. They were converted to Christianity as a result of Peter’s first sermon on the day of Pentecost. This means that people were leaving one church (Judaism) to join another (Christianity).
The Christian church grew in size at an astounding rate. They did not, however, grow in popularity with Judaism. They were seen as the competition. Not only that, Judaism was largely seen as being responsible for killing Jesus and now they are losing their own members to the group of disciples that Jesus had left behind. The leaders of Judaism were not at all happy with the Christians. To make matters even worse, one of the deacons, named Stephen was heard preaching against Judaism. He preached ...
51 "You stiff-necked people, with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You are just like your fathers: You always resist the Holy Spirit!
52 Was there ever a prophet your fathers did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him-- Acts 7:51-52
As a result of their anger toward Stephen, a mob formed and they killed him.
59 And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." Acts 7:59
As a result of Stephen's death, like a frenzied animal after getting a taste of blood, it became 'open season' on the church in Jerusalem. Because of persecution, the church scattered. This why James says,
... to the 12 tribes ... scattered abroad
Luke tells us, in the book of Acts, how this 'scattering' of believers happened.
“Now Saul was consenting to his (Stephen's) death. At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles”. Acts 8:1
In chapter eleven he adds:
“Now those who were scattered after the persecution that arose over Stephen, traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to no one but the Jews only”. Acts 11:19
James is writing to these Christians (former Jews) who have been scattered.
They have been experiencing very severe persecution. Is this something they ‘bargained for’ when they trusted Jesus as their Saviour? Well, that would depend entirely on how the gospel had been presented to them. Far too often we leave this part out when we speak to someone about eternal life. We try to make salvation simple and appealing, but because we leave out the 'hard' parts, we produce weak believers who are unable to withstand any difficulty.
What did Jesus Himself say about how easy or how hard it is to become a true disciple (Christian)?
Then he called his disciples and the people around him, and said to them, "If anyone wants to follow in my footsteps, he must give up all right to himself, take up his cross and follow me. Mr 8:34
John 15:18-20 18 If the world hates you, you know that it hated me first. 19 If you belonged to the world, the world would love its own. But because you do not belong to the world and I have chosen you out of it, the world will hate you.
20 Do you remember what I said to you, ‘The servant is not greater than his master’? If they have persecuted me, they will persecute you as well, but if they have followed my teaching, they will also follow yours.
And the Apostle Paul mentions believers experiencing persecution as an expected result and 'cost' of becoming a disciple. He said, “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,”
2Timothy 3:12
Jesus cautions people to count the cost before becoming a follower.
Experiencing physical persecution is not the only cost of becoming a Christian.
He said, “So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple”.
Luke 14:33
This sounds 'radical' in some respects. This also sounds like a 'one time' action, or some kind of a 'work for salvation' requirement.
But that would not be accurate. To 'renounce all that you have' comes from a true attitude shift. And that 'shift' results from really 'getting' what the following verse means.
2 Corinthians 5:21 For God caused Christ, who himself knew nothing of sin, actually to be sin for our sakes, so that in Christ we might be made good with the goodness of God. (Philips translation)
… and also this passage: 1Corinthians 6:19, 20
19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, 20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.
As we recognize that we have been 'bought', we come to understand that, in a practical sense, this includes all my 'stuff' as well, He is now the owner. I have it back on loan and am now the steward of it all. In that sense … it is all 'renounced'.
James is having to point this out to his readers. Jesus fore-warned them, and us, that some form of suffering is to be expected.
And here James says that persecution serves a good purpose. He says,
James 1:2 ¶ When all kinds of trials and temptations crowd into your lives, my brothers, don’t resent them as intruders, but welcome them as friends!
Persecution is permitted by God and often prescribed by God, to produce patience and endurance. Persecution requires endurance. Without the character trait called 'endurance', we will flee from difficult situations. Many times these difficult times are allowed into our lives, even placed into our lives on purpose by God, in order to test us. We do not know ourselves as well as God knows us. The only way that we know that we are growing in the area of endurance, is to pass each test.
The Apostle Peter was tested. "I tell you, Peter," replied Jesus, "that tonight, before the cock crows, you will disown me three times." Mt 26:34
And he was not the only one who would back away from Jesus.
Then Jesus said to them, "Tonight every one of you will lose his faith in me. For the scripture says, ‘I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.’ Matthew 26:31
Peter did not hold up to ‘the test’ at Jesus’ trial. Matthew goes on,
A few minutes later those who were standing about came up to Peter and said to him, "You certainly are one of them, it’s obvious from your accent."
At that he began to curse and swear — "I tell you I don’t know the man!" Immediately the cock crew, Matthew 26:73, 74
Peter failed the test.
Why did Peter fail? We could say, 'Well, because Jesus predicted it, it had to come to pass'. But that is not the reason. That is merely Jesus fore-knowledge of what Peter would do. The real reason is in Matthew 12 verse 35 "Even if it means dying with you I will never disown you," said Peter. And all the disciples made the same protest.
Peter insisted that he would not fail. That certainly does NOT sound like there was any admission of weakness or a need for dependency on God on Peter's part. It was his internal evaluation of his own strength … or supposed strength, that was his downfall. When we are weak, then we are strong. Paul said something like this in 2 Corinthians 12:9, But his (God's) reply has been, "My grace is enough for you: for where there is weakness, my power is shown the more completely."
Abraham was tested – several times
Leave your country and family, (said God), and I will direct you to a land I will give you.
Abraham's partial obedience resulted in his not hearing the voice of God for a while. Against God's clear instructions, He took with him his father and nephew. After his father died, he finally heard from God again. That was a test of sorts. Abraham failed.
Then, at a later date God said to Abraham that he would become the 'father of many nations'.
“I will give you a son.”, God said. Abraham did not believe. That was a fail.
Then the promise was repeated. This was a second chance – and this time, according to Genesis 15.6, he believed … test passed.
And he believed the LORD, and he counted it to him as righteousness.
Finally God brought a huge test upon him- (Heb 11:17-19) and this one he also passed!
Although this account is somewhat lengthy I think it is important that we take a close look at it.
Genesis 22:1 ¶ After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, "Abraham!"
And he said, "Here I am."
2 He said, "Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you." I am sure this raises some questions in our minds. For example, what kind of a God would even think up something like this!
And what about Sarah, the boys mother … is Abraham going to bring her into the loop? I think she should know what is going on.
After hearing from God, Abraham has the rest of the evening and the whole night ahead of him before he is going to do this thing. Although the bible does not say so, I believe that he had a conversation with his wife.
It probably went something like this:
“Sarah, I heard from God today.”
“Really? Wow. It's been a while. What did he say?”
“Well dear, you remember how long we waited for a child … and God promised us a son …. and it happened?”
“How could I forget? So what did He say?”
“You're not going to believe this … but He told me to take him to Moriah in the morning and make a sacrifice there.”
“What's not to believe about that?”
“I'm not finished yet … He wants me to offer Isaac as the sacrifice.”
“What? Abe, can you even hear what you just said? God clearly told us that Isaac was to be the father of a great nation. How is that going to happen if you kill him? No!! That was not God talking to you. It's been too long … I think you have forgotten what God sounds like. Nope. No way. That was not God!”
“Sarah … Sarah listen for a minute! I know it was God. I have no doubt whatsoever. And I know about the promise that Isaac is to be the source of many generations to come. It can only mean one thing … God is going to raise him from the dead.”
“Abraham … has God EVER done that before?”
And after much talking WAY into the night … they agreed.
3 ¶ So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and his son Isaac. And he cut the wood for the burnt offering and arose and went to the place of which God had told him. 4 On the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw the place from afar.
5 Then Abraham said to his young men, "Stay here with the donkey; I and the boy will go over there and worship and come again to you."
6 And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son. And he took in his hand the fire and the knife. So they went both of them together.
I realise we are talking about the testing of Abraham, but let me take a small 'aside' for a moment – Here is a beautiful 'type' of the Father in Heaven sacrificing His Son. Jesus bore the 'wood' on His back as He ascended to Golgatha's hill. The father was the one holding knife … in other word's, the Father sacrificed His one and only Son.
One big difference in this event however, Jesus was 'in the loop' … He knew exactly what He was doing, but Isaac was in the dark.
7 And Isaac said to his father Abraham, "My father!" And he said, "Here I am, my son." He said, "Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?"
8 Abraham said, "God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son." So they went both of them together.
Even though Isaac was to be the lamb, and Abraham knew it, Abraham was not lying to his son when he said, 'The Lord will provide a sacrifice.'
9 When they came to the place of which God had told him, Abraham built the altar there and laid the wood in order and bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood.
This sounds so matter of fact. There is no emotion from either Isaac nor his father expressed here. That part is left entirely to our imagination.
10 Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to slaughter his son.
11 ¶ But the angel of the LORD called to him from heaven and said, "Abraham, Abraham!"
And he said, "Here I am."
12 He said, "Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me."
13 And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was a ram, caught in a thicket by his horns. And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son.
14 So Abraham called the name of that place, "The LORD will provide"; as it is said to this day, "On the mount of the LORD it shall be provided."
And that is exactly what happened. The Lord provided and that is what Abraham had just told Isaac a short while before.
We are not 'guessing' when we say that Abraham believed that God would raise Isaac to life. The writer of Hebrews makes it very clear.
He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back. Heb 11:19
Abraham passed this huge, almost impossible test. Look back at verse 12 about for a moment. God said something to Abraham that tells it from the human perspective. God said, “ … now I know ...”
God is Omniscient. He knows and can know anything at all about the future. Why would He say, 'Now I know'? What really happened here is that Abraham can now descend this mountain knowing something about himself that he did not fully know before. He could, and likely did, go back and tell his wife, “Sarah … I was really going to go through with it! I honestly did not know if I really could, but I would have done it!”
That is true of us as well. If you were to answer the question, 'If it came down to it, would you die a martyrs' death?' We honestly have to say … I don't know. The same would be true of lesser tests. But God tests us so that we can discover how far along we are in the 'growth' process.
And this is how it should be. God brings tests into our lives, and as time progresses we will grow to the point of actually passing the tests.
So there is a purpose for all of the testing that God allows us endure, or even brings our way.
How are you holding up as your faith is being put to the test? Have you experienced growth when you have been tested and tried?
1Ac 12:1 ¶ About that time Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church. 2 He killed James the brother of John with the sword
2Mark 3:31 Then His brothers and His mother came, and standing outside they sent to Him, calling Him.
3John 7:5 For not even his brothers had any faith in him.
41Co 15:3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: 5 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: 6 After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.7 After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles.
- Notice that James is not included as being an apostle.
At the time James was written, the first church did not have even one of the four Gospels. They did not have the clear teachings about Salvation that would come later in the book of Romans. They did not have all of the clear instructions and corrections for day to day church life; that would also come later, given by Paul in First and Second Corinthians. Of course that great prophetic masterpiece, Revelation, they would know nothing at all about.
The only other book of New Testament scripture that they might have been able to read would be Paul’s letter to the Galatians. And, interestingly, the books of Galatians and James provide a needed balance for each other.
To really appreciate this book, we not only need to know a little about the time this book was written, but, … if possible, we need to ‘meet’ the human author, and then we need to know a little bit about the persons to whom he was writing.
Several men with the name of James are mentioned in the New Testament. Which one wrote this book … and does it really make any difference that we find out?
It does, actually. Rather than just ‘come right out and say’ which James wrote the book, let’s use the process of elimination.
In the list given in Mark 3:16-19 of the twelve disciples, Peter James and John stand out from the others (Mark 5:37, 9:2, 13:3 etc.).
Several times in the gospels you will read something similar to, “... and Jesus took with Him, Peter James and John”. These three seemed to be right at the center of things. I suppose we could call them ‘the inner circle’.
Peter was the one who walked on water with Jesus, at Jesus’ trial strongly denied even knowing Him, stood up on the day of Pentecost and preached that marvelous first sermon after which 3000 persons were baptized. Should he be the one who could assume the title of 'Pastor' over that first church in Jerusalem?
But it was James, the brother of John, who after Pentecost, became the leader of the first church and remained the pastor for 3 or 4 years … until the day King Herod had him arrested, put in prison and executed1.
John, his brother is never listed as a leader in Jerusalem, but he is noted for church planting and pastoring in Ephesus. John wrote a gospel, three small letters and the book of Revelation. John and his brother suggested calling down fire from heaven to burn up a small Samaritan town, so Jesus nick-named the two brothers, ‘the Sons of Thunder’.
Here is the complete list of the twelve disciples:
And Simon he surnamed Peter; James the son of Zebedee and John the brother of James, to whom He gave the name Boanerges, that is, "Sons of Thunder";
Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Cananite; and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him. Mark 3:16-19
Immediately after James (one of the Sons of Thunder) was executed … a second James stepped up and became pastor of the Jerusalem church. This is the James who wrote the book we are now studying.
Who was this James? It would make sense that the new pastor of the Jerusalem church should one of the twelve apostles.. But, as near as we can determine, James, the son of Alphaeus (an apostle) was not the second pastor of the church. The scriptures will make it clear who this James was.
1. Jesus had siblings who were the product of Mary and Joseph2.
2. None of the brothers believed in Jesus until after Jesus’ resurrection3. John 7:5
3. Jesus appeared to many after His resurrection but there is a specific mention that He appeared to James. I Corinthians 15: 3 - 74
- When the persecutor, Saul, became a believer (and God changed his name to Paul) he made a trip to Jerusalem to see James, the Lord’s brother.
Gal 1:18-20
So we can make some significant observations from what we have discovered so far.
a. Jesus’ brother James did not have the same intense training that the twelve apostles had. During the time Jesus was traveling from place to place with the 12, Jesus' brothers were at home, not believing that Jesus was God’s son.
b. Jesus, while dying on the cross, assigns the care of his mother, Mary, over to John ( a very strong believer who was called the 'Disciple whom Jesus loved'), rather than over to one of His own brothers.
c. After Jesus rises from the dead He, Jesus, appears to James. This was a showing of proof to His half brother, that He, Jesus, was who He said he was.
d. James would then have a lot of learning to do in a short while. It is hard to imagine how he could be the lead pastor in Jerusalem in so short a time, but such seems to be the case. Quite early on in his position in the church he wrote the book of James.
So let's begin.
James 1:1 ¶ JAMES, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, sends greeting to the twelve dispersed tribes.
Note James' attitude about himself.
He mentions that he is a servant of --- God. He does not mention a trinity here, but he is putting God and the Lord Jesus Christ on the same level. Why does he even mention Jesus, apart from God? Could it have anything to do with Jesus being his half brother in the flesh … who he did not believe in until the resurrection … and now, humbly calls himself a servant of Jesus?
Why, do you suppose, did Jesus’ brothers not believe in Him until after the resurrection?
Here is a clue:
But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honour except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house." Mark 6:4
Jesus suffered this within his own family. It is not only prophets, by the way, that experience a lack of respect. Painters of old, who we now consider famous, had a difficulty selling any paintings in their own home towns. Van Gogh managed to sell only one painting in his entire lifetime, yet his paintings now sell for millions of dollars.
In Matthew 13 verses 54 to 57 we read, 54 He went to His own home town, and kept teaching in their synagogue in such a way that they were dumbfounded, and said, "Where did He get this wisdom and this power to do such wonder-works?55 Is He not the carpenter’s son? Is not His mother’s name Mary, are not His brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas?56 And are not His sisters all living here with us? Where then did He get all these things?" 57 And so they found a cause for stumbling over Him. But Jesus said to them, "A prophet never fails to be honored except in his native neighborhood and in his own home." And so 58 He did not do many wonder-works there, because of their lack of faith.
(Williams Translation)
Jesus' family was even closer to Him than His hometown associates.
It seems to me that it would be very difficult for his brothers, growing up with Him, to see Him as anyone other than simply their brother. It is impossible to know what mother Mary told the family about Jesus. But we do know that Jesus never sinned. I wonder if His brothers and sisters were irritated by the fact that he never got into trouble, never needed disciplining, and always did the right thing.
As it turned out, his siblings, so it appears, only understood that He was God in the flesh … after the crucifixion and resurrection.
We experience a bit of that when one spouse comes to Christ and has to live his or her life in front of their partner … in as holy a manner as possible. Anything that is said would be resisted as being 'preachy'
How do we best ‘win’ a family member to Jesus? A spouse, for example? Peter clearly states that it does not happen by the words we speak. He says it happens by our behaviour. Peter says,
In the same spirit you married women should adapt yourself to your husbands, so that even if they do not obey the Word of God they may be won to God without any word being spoken, simply by seeing the pure and reverent conduct of you, their wives. 1Peter 3:1
He is mentioning how wives should win their lost husbands to Jesus, “without any word being spoken” but I would think a similar method should be used if it is the other way around.
After His resurrection Jesus appeared to his disciples, but it is mentioned that He appeared in particular to his brother James.
Paul wrote regarding the resurrection of Jesus,
“ … that he was buried and rose again on the third day, again as the scriptures foretold.
5 He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve, 6 and subsequently he was seen simultaneously by over five hundred Christians, of whom the majority are still alive, though some have since died. 7 He was then seen by James, then by all the messengers. (Apostles)
8 And last of all, as to one born abnormally late, he appeared even to me! 1Corinthians 15:4-8
He was then seen by James … As James saw his brother Jesus, alive from the dead, he had to humble himself before his brother and no doubt apologize for his unbelief and perhaps for the hard time he had given Jesus over the years.
Have you ever had to humble yourself before a family member or friend and ‘eat crow’ (as they say)? Here are several verses that are worth considering when it comes to pride vs humility.
Christians should always be characterized by humility and not by pride. Here are some biblical references that bear this out:
Let another man praise you, and not your own mouth; A stranger, and not your own lips. Proverbs 27:2
Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up. James 4:10
Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble." 1Peter 5:5
So, James, the half-brother of Jesus is the author of this book.
To whom is James writing? …. To the 12 tribes … This is another way of saying ‘Israel’, or ‘the Jews’.
But even though at first glance it appears to be a way of addressing the Jews in general, that is not the case.
The first Christian church was planted in Jerusalem and the first members were all ethnic Jews. They were converted to Christianity as a result of Peter’s first sermon on the day of Pentecost. This means that people were leaving one church (Judaism) to join another (Christianity).
The Christian church grew in size at an astounding rate. They did not, however, grow in popularity with Judaism. They were seen as the competition. Not only that, Judaism was largely seen as being responsible for killing Jesus and now they are losing their own members to the group of disciples that Jesus had left behind. The leaders of Judaism were not at all happy with the Christians. To make matters even worse, one of the deacons, named Stephen was heard preaching against Judaism. He preached ...
51 "You stiff-necked people, with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You are just like your fathers: You always resist the Holy Spirit!
52 Was there ever a prophet your fathers did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him-- Acts 7:51-52
As a result of their anger toward Stephen, a mob formed and they killed him.
59 And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." Acts 7:59
As a result of Stephen's death, like a frenzied animal after getting a taste of blood, it became 'open season' on the church in Jerusalem. Because of persecution, the church scattered. This why James says,
... to the 12 tribes ... scattered abroad
Luke tells us, in the book of Acts, how this 'scattering' of believers happened.
“Now Saul was consenting to his (Stephen's) death. At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles”. Acts 8:1
In chapter eleven he adds:
“Now those who were scattered after the persecution that arose over Stephen, traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to no one but the Jews only”. Acts 11:19
James is writing to these Christians (former Jews) who have been scattered.
They have been experiencing very severe persecution. Is this something they ‘bargained for’ when they trusted Jesus as their Saviour? Well, that would depend entirely on how the gospel had been presented to them. Far too often we leave this part out when we speak to someone about eternal life. We try to make salvation simple and appealing, but because we leave out the 'hard' parts, we produce weak believers who are unable to withstand any difficulty.
What did Jesus Himself say about how easy or how hard it is to become a true disciple (Christian)?
Then he called his disciples and the people around him, and said to them, "If anyone wants to follow in my footsteps, he must give up all right to himself, take up his cross and follow me. Mr 8:34
John 15:18-20 18 If the world hates you, you know that it hated me first. 19 If you belonged to the world, the world would love its own. But because you do not belong to the world and I have chosen you out of it, the world will hate you.
20 Do you remember what I said to you, ‘The servant is not greater than his master’? If they have persecuted me, they will persecute you as well, but if they have followed my teaching, they will also follow yours.
And the Apostle Paul mentions believers experiencing persecution as an expected result and 'cost' of becoming a disciple. He said, “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,”
2Timothy 3:12
Jesus cautions people to count the cost before becoming a follower.
Experiencing physical persecution is not the only cost of becoming a Christian.
He said, “So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple”.
Luke 14:33
This sounds 'radical' in some respects. This also sounds like a 'one time' action, or some kind of a 'work for salvation' requirement.
But that would not be accurate. To 'renounce all that you have' comes from a true attitude shift. And that 'shift' results from really 'getting' what the following verse means.
2 Corinthians 5:21 For God caused Christ, who himself knew nothing of sin, actually to be sin for our sakes, so that in Christ we might be made good with the goodness of God. (Philips translation)
… and also this passage: 1Corinthians 6:19, 20
19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, 20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.
As we recognize that we have been 'bought', we come to understand that, in a practical sense, this includes all my 'stuff' as well, He is now the owner. I have it back on loan and am now the steward of it all. In that sense … it is all 'renounced'.
James is having to point this out to his readers. Jesus fore-warned them, and us, that some form of suffering is to be expected.
And here James says that persecution serves a good purpose. He says,
James 1:2 ¶ When all kinds of trials and temptations crowd into your lives, my brothers, don’t resent them as intruders, but welcome them as friends!
Persecution is permitted by God and often prescribed by God, to produce patience and endurance. Persecution requires endurance. Without the character trait called 'endurance', we will flee from difficult situations. Many times these difficult times are allowed into our lives, even placed into our lives on purpose by God, in order to test us. We do not know ourselves as well as God knows us. The only way that we know that we are growing in the area of endurance, is to pass each test.
The Apostle Peter was tested. "I tell you, Peter," replied Jesus, "that tonight, before the cock crows, you will disown me three times." Mt 26:34
And he was not the only one who would back away from Jesus.
Then Jesus said to them, "Tonight every one of you will lose his faith in me. For the scripture says, ‘I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.’ Matthew 26:31
Peter did not hold up to ‘the test’ at Jesus’ trial. Matthew goes on,
A few minutes later those who were standing about came up to Peter and said to him, "You certainly are one of them, it’s obvious from your accent."
At that he began to curse and swear — "I tell you I don’t know the man!" Immediately the cock crew, Matthew 26:73, 74
Peter failed the test.
Why did Peter fail? We could say, 'Well, because Jesus predicted it, it had to come to pass'. But that is not the reason. That is merely Jesus fore-knowledge of what Peter would do. The real reason is in Matthew 12 verse 35 "Even if it means dying with you I will never disown you," said Peter. And all the disciples made the same protest.
Peter insisted that he would not fail. That certainly does NOT sound like there was any admission of weakness or a need for dependency on God on Peter's part. It was his internal evaluation of his own strength … or supposed strength, that was his downfall. When we are weak, then we are strong. Paul said something like this in 2 Corinthians 12:9, But his (God's) reply has been, "My grace is enough for you: for where there is weakness, my power is shown the more completely."
Abraham was tested – several times
Leave your country and family, (said God), and I will direct you to a land I will give you.
Abraham's partial obedience resulted in his not hearing the voice of God for a while. Against God's clear instructions, He took with him his father and nephew. After his father died, he finally heard from God again. That was a test of sorts. Abraham failed.
Then, at a later date God said to Abraham that he would become the 'father of many nations'.
“I will give you a son.”, God said. Abraham did not believe. That was a fail.
Then the promise was repeated. This was a second chance – and this time, according to Genesis 15.6, he believed … test passed.
And he believed the LORD, and he counted it to him as righteousness.
Finally God brought a huge test upon him- (Heb 11:17-19) and this one he also passed!
Although this account is somewhat lengthy I think it is important that we take a close look at it.
Genesis 22:1 ¶ After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, "Abraham!"
And he said, "Here I am."
2 He said, "Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you." I am sure this raises some questions in our minds. For example, what kind of a God would even think up something like this!
And what about Sarah, the boys mother … is Abraham going to bring her into the loop? I think she should know what is going on.
After hearing from God, Abraham has the rest of the evening and the whole night ahead of him before he is going to do this thing. Although the bible does not say so, I believe that he had a conversation with his wife.
It probably went something like this:
“Sarah, I heard from God today.”
“Really? Wow. It's been a while. What did he say?”
“Well dear, you remember how long we waited for a child … and God promised us a son …. and it happened?”
“How could I forget? So what did He say?”
“You're not going to believe this … but He told me to take him to Moriah in the morning and make a sacrifice there.”
“What's not to believe about that?”
“I'm not finished yet … He wants me to offer Isaac as the sacrifice.”
“What? Abe, can you even hear what you just said? God clearly told us that Isaac was to be the father of a great nation. How is that going to happen if you kill him? No!! That was not God talking to you. It's been too long … I think you have forgotten what God sounds like. Nope. No way. That was not God!”
“Sarah … Sarah listen for a minute! I know it was God. I have no doubt whatsoever. And I know about the promise that Isaac is to be the source of many generations to come. It can only mean one thing … God is going to raise him from the dead.”
“Abraham … has God EVER done that before?”
And after much talking WAY into the night … they agreed.
3 ¶ So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and his son Isaac. And he cut the wood for the burnt offering and arose and went to the place of which God had told him. 4 On the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw the place from afar.
5 Then Abraham said to his young men, "Stay here with the donkey; I and the boy will go over there and worship and come again to you."
6 And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son. And he took in his hand the fire and the knife. So they went both of them together.
I realise we are talking about the testing of Abraham, but let me take a small 'aside' for a moment – Here is a beautiful 'type' of the Father in Heaven sacrificing His Son. Jesus bore the 'wood' on His back as He ascended to Golgatha's hill. The father was the one holding knife … in other word's, the Father sacrificed His one and only Son.
One big difference in this event however, Jesus was 'in the loop' … He knew exactly what He was doing, but Isaac was in the dark.
7 And Isaac said to his father Abraham, "My father!" And he said, "Here I am, my son." He said, "Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?"
8 Abraham said, "God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son." So they went both of them together.
Even though Isaac was to be the lamb, and Abraham knew it, Abraham was not lying to his son when he said, 'The Lord will provide a sacrifice.'
9 When they came to the place of which God had told him, Abraham built the altar there and laid the wood in order and bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood.
This sounds so matter of fact. There is no emotion from either Isaac nor his father expressed here. That part is left entirely to our imagination.
10 Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to slaughter his son.
11 ¶ But the angel of the LORD called to him from heaven and said, "Abraham, Abraham!"
And he said, "Here I am."
12 He said, "Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me."
13 And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was a ram, caught in a thicket by his horns. And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son.
14 So Abraham called the name of that place, "The LORD will provide"; as it is said to this day, "On the mount of the LORD it shall be provided."
And that is exactly what happened. The Lord provided and that is what Abraham had just told Isaac a short while before.
We are not 'guessing' when we say that Abraham believed that God would raise Isaac to life. The writer of Hebrews makes it very clear.
He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back. Heb 11:19
Abraham passed this huge, almost impossible test. Look back at verse 12 about for a moment. God said something to Abraham that tells it from the human perspective. God said, “ … now I know ...”
God is Omniscient. He knows and can know anything at all about the future. Why would He say, 'Now I know'? What really happened here is that Abraham can now descend this mountain knowing something about himself that he did not fully know before. He could, and likely did, go back and tell his wife, “Sarah … I was really going to go through with it! I honestly did not know if I really could, but I would have done it!”
That is true of us as well. If you were to answer the question, 'If it came down to it, would you die a martyrs' death?' We honestly have to say … I don't know. The same would be true of lesser tests. But God tests us so that we can discover how far along we are in the 'growth' process.
And this is how it should be. God brings tests into our lives, and as time progresses we will grow to the point of actually passing the tests.
So there is a purpose for all of the testing that God allows us endure, or even brings our way.
How are you holding up as your faith is being put to the test? Have you experienced growth when you have been tested and tried?
1Ac 12:1 ¶ About that time Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church. 2 He killed James the brother of John with the sword
2Mark 3:31 Then His brothers and His mother came, and standing outside they sent to Him, calling Him.
3John 7:5 For not even his brothers had any faith in him.
41Co 15:3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: 5 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: 6 After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.7 After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles.
- Notice that James is not included as being an apostle.