Who is this James?
According to Matthew 13:55-56, Jesus had at least 6 half siblings. The oldest brother was James.
How do you grow up with a perfect brother? I tended to be the compliant child growing up. (Now if you ask my sisters or my mom, they’ll tell beyond a shadow of doubt that I was far from perfect!!) But to my sisters it felt like I was favored at times. ANNOYING!
Can you imagine what it was like for James. Jesus did exactly what Mom & Dad asked him to do…except that time he stayed back at the temple after the family was headed back home. And he grew in statue and favor with men and God. But what about those ‘weird’ things he said. Like, “Who are my mother and brothers? You are,” speaking to the crowd.
James and his siblings had to have been completely irritated about how he seemed to be Mom’s favorite. And then his life didn’t take the course they all expected. He wasn’t a professional carpenter. He hung out with the oddest crowd. He didn’t set up house or look for a wife. He just seemed to roam the streets. And the world seemed to follow him everywhere.
What was it about him that attracted people? It’s just Jesus. Can’t you just hear James trying to figure this brother out. He was quite the odd duck. They could try to explain is ‘different-ness’ by his mysterious beginnings. You know what they say. “What a bizarre explanation”, he surely thought.
The end of Jesus’ life was wild. Arrested and crucified? Why? You know James agreed that he was nothing short of strange. But a criminal deserving death??? Never!
Then things began to make sense, especially when Jesus made a point to meet up with him after he raised from the dead. Jesus’ life started to make sense. He wasn’t just the brother that lived life to the beat of a different drummer. He was the drummer. James should be living his life to the beat of his half-brother’s life. And boy did it change his perspective on life…his perspective on God.
And now he shares that in his letter title simply, James. James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.
A servant…of his brother??? his brother, Jesus?? Yes. Emphatically, YES!
To the twelve tribes scatter among the nations. Yes, scattered because of the persecution they received for following Jesus.
James was Jewish and had a heart for his family and friends whose lives had been tremendously impacted by his half-brother’s life. His half-brother whose father was God, himself. He was God. He lived it. He knew who Jesus really was. He had seen what even the public had not seen. He grew up with him.
And what does he say to those who have been scattered because of persecution?
Consider it pure joy when you face trials of many kinds… He is encouraging them to hang in there. It’s worth it. I know it doesn’t make sense right now…but it will. This is all part of the process. Hang in there and you will become mature and complete, not lacking anything. And if you aren’t sure how to handle it, ask God for wisdom.
James knew that all God needs for him to be wise was an ask. Then he hands it out in buckets-full, without question. All he had to do was ask with the assurance that he would receive it.
Can’t you imagine that there was a season when James’ doubts tossed him to and fro?!
James’ words show tremendous wisdom. Comfort the poor with the knowledge that God absolutely loves them and remind the wealthy that they are poor because of their sin and even their wealth and life is fleeting…so God loves them, too.
So to all his Jewish friends that believed Jesus was the Messiah for whom they had waited centuries, God would surely reward those who endured the tough times with the crown of life he had promised.
For more wisdom, he gave them a reality check. God does not tempt, nor can he be tempted. We are responsible for sin. We, in our weakness, allow ourselves to be deceived and move desire into sin, which leads ultimately to death. Those desires and the temporary pleasure we receive in satisfying those desires on our own is not a gift.
True satisfaction, perfect gifts only come from God, who is the same day after day, year after year for eternity. From the beginning he gave us birth through Christ. He spoke us into being and he spoke us into a renewed relationship with God. We are because Christ is and does. We are his pride and joy.
What a privilege!
Lord, what must it have been like for James? So many times in my life I have been confused and frustrated. Only to have it make sense in time. There are some things that still don’t make sense. But I have seen you give me clarity in enough situations that I can trust…when I put my mind to it…everything about you. Give us wisdom so we are not deceived.
Thank you for the picture of James’ confident faith, knowing Jesus from the inside.
Continue to give us wisdom as we study this book. Thank you, Amen.
Next week’s schedule:
January 21-27 – James 1:19 – 2:13
Digging Deeper 