There were three of Jesus’ 12 disciples that the Lord handpicked for some special training. James, his brother John, and Peter. Peter would become a powerful speaker, John would become a prolific writer, and James ended up being the first of the disciples to die for his faith.
In scripture James was always mentioned before his brother John. This showed that James was the older of the two. James & John’s father, Zebedee, owned a fishing business where the sons worked along with Peter & Andrew. They lived in Capernaum on the Sea of Galilee.
“When a Samaritan village rejected Jesus, he and John wanted to call down fire from heaven upon the place.” For this reason James & John were both given a nickname by the Lord ... “the sons of thunder”.
Being selected to be in Jesus’ inner circle meant a lot to James, however, he, as well as the others, misunderstood what Jesus’ purpose was. Their misunderstanding was evident when both James & John attempted to secure prime seating to the right and left of the Lord in his kingdom. Listen to Jesus’ response: “You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said. “Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?” “We can,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared.” [Mark 10:38-40] The ‘cup’ and ‘baptism’ Jesus referred to was his suffering and his death. This was to say that all the disciples would suffer and die for their faith. Would you be willing to die for your faith or would you deny him as Peter did?
The disciples didn’t grasp the meaning of Jesus words at the time, but after his death it began to become a bit clearer to them. At this particular time they still expected that Jesus would establish a kingdom on earth and overthrow the Roman Empire. This was not at all what God had planned.
“James' zeal for Jesus resulted in his being the first of the twelve apostles to be martyred. He was killed with the sword on order of King Herod Agrippa I of Judea, about 44 A.D., in a general persecution of the early church.” [1]
“Jesus promised eternal life to those willing to trust him. If we believe this promise, he will give us the courage to stand for him even during dangerous times.” [2]
Up next is a spotlight on Martha, the older sister of Mary & Lazarus. Until then, walk with the King and be a blessing.
In His name & for His glory,
Richard Keller
Bread of Life Ministries
Resource: The Life Application Study Bible
[1] https://www.learnreligions.com/profile-of-apostle-james-701062
[2] The Life Application Study Bible; p. 2213.
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