The Apostle James
The Apostle James was one of the so-called “Sons of Thunder” and specifically named “James, son of Zebedee” and is sometimes called “James the Greater” because there were at least three other James’ in the early church. One of the James’ was called “James, son of Alphaeus” and another James called “James the Just” who became the patron saint of Spain and Portugal, although that is extra-biblical (or outside of biblical evidence). The Apostle James was the brother of the Apostle John and James was the first apostle martyred, probably around 44 AD. James was in the so-called circle of honor among the apostles with Peter and John and they were privileged to be eyewitnesses of the Transfiguration (Matt 17:1-9). They were also among the privileged few apostles that witnessed Jairus’ daughter being raised from the dead (Mark 5:37) and were with Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matt 26:36-37) on the night that Jesus was betrayed and arrested.
The Sons of Thunder
The Apostle John and his brother James were, in the beginning, hotheads. When Jesus went to a Samaritan city they were spurned by the local residents and this angered James and John. What was their reaction to the people rejecting Christ and essentially rejecting them? They asked Jesus “Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven and consume them” (Luke 9:54)? Jesus rebuked them for their attitude (Luke 9:55) and said “the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them” (Luke 9:56). The interesting thing is, did they really have authority to call fire down from heaven like Elijah did when he took on the 850 prophets of Baal (1 King 18)? Was that a proper response at all? This was not likely the only time that they lost their tempers and shows that they could be rash and impulsive, which was a little like Peter at times.
The Author of the Book of James
Some people confuse the Apostle James as the author of the Book of James but that James was the half-brother of Jesus who only professed faith in Christ after Jesus rose from the dead. By the time that Book of James was written, and it appears to be the first book written in the New Testament around 45 AD, James the son of Zebedee had already lost his life. Only a few of the apostles wrote books in the New Testament and James the son of Zebedee was not one of them, however his brother, the Apostle John, wrote five books; the Gospel of John, 1st, 2nd, 3rd John and of course the Book of Revelation although the actual author was Jesus Christ (Rev 1:1).
Mark 5:37 And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James.
Revelation 1:1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:
Luke 9:56 For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.
Luke 9:54 And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?
Matthew 26; 36-37
36 Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder.
37
And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy.
Closing Prayer; Heavenly Father, we remember before You today Your servant and apostle James, first among the Twelve to suffer martyrdom for the Name of Jesus Christ; and we pray that You will pour out upon the leaders of your Church that spirit of self-denying service by which alone they may have true authority among your people; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, in whose name we pray, Amen.
For those who wish to become a child of Our Heavenly Father or wish to be stronger in his eyes, please say the following prayer below.
Dear Heavenly Father, I know I’m a sinner, and I ask for your forgiveness. I believe Jesus Christ is Your Son. I believe that He died for my sin and that you raised Him to life. I want to trust Him as my Savior and follow Him as Lord, from this day forward. Guide my life and help me to do your will. I pray this in the name of Jesus. Amen.”
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