Hello, my “Walking with Jesus” friends,
We have probably all had the experience of taking some well-deserved time off after completion of a long and very demanding project or assignment, right? I mean the type of assignment which required everything we had to give… time, energy, emotions, finances, physical stamina etc. If you’ve had that experience, you may recall you finished that long assignment totally drained and it required more than days, probably weeks, or even months, for you to regain your energy and strength; to be restored emotionally and spiritually; and even to gain proper perspective on the long and demanding experience you had just completed.
That is, I believe, what Paul and Barnabas were experiencing in the weeks and months after their return to Syrian Antioch, where I left you yesterday. (Acts 14:27,28)
Their missionary journey had taken perhaps 3 years of time, and they had traveled perhaps nearly 1500 miles by land and sea. They’d faced every opposition imaginable. Once, Paul had even been stoned and left for dead in Lystra, remember? (Acts 14:19)
While their welcome back was, I’m sure, enthusiastic, by those who had sent them out on this remarkable pioneer assignment, we should imagine the group of Christians in Antioch had grown substantially in number while they were away, and thus there was a significant need for Paul and Barnabas to fully re-engage in leadership and discipleship in Antioch. Can you hear some people saying, “glad your back, but it’s time for you to get to work here.”
Let’s remember that while we’ve been traveling with Paul and Barnabas to Cyprus Island and up into modern day Turkey, the apostles, who had been the disciples of Jesus, have been hard at work nurturing the first generation of primarily Messianic Jews in Jerusalem. You’ll recall James, the brother of John, had been executed by King Herod (Acts 12:2) and Peter had been rescued from Herod’s prison by an angel. Peter had then gone to thank the prayer meeting in Mary’s home. (Acts 12:6-16)
In that moment Luke reports this: “Peter…described how the Lord had brought him out of prison. Then he said, ‘Tell James and the other brothers and sisters about this,’ and Peter left for another place.” (Acts 12:17) I don’t know exactly where Peter went, but I draw your attention to the man Peter wanted to be sure would hear about his rescue… James. Who is this James and why do I draw our attention to him?
This is James, a son of Joseph and Mary and 1/2 brother of Jesus Christ. Matthew mentions this James, and others of the family of Joseph and Mary, in Matt. 13:55,56. But there is no indication any of Mary’s children believed Jesus to be God incarnate until AFTER His resurrection.
However, as Mary and the other followers of Jesus gathered in Jerusalem following Jesus’ ascension and waited for the promised Holy Spirit, Luke reports: “the disciples all gathered together in prayer, along with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.” (Acts 1:15) That, we presume, included this James. James was with them, therefore, when the Holy Spirit came upon the 120 in that place, and from that day on Spirit anointed James was a passionate proclaimer of the Gospel truth of Jesus Christ!
After the execution of James, the brother of John, it appears James, the 1/2 brother of Jesus, was recognized as one of the key leaders of the Christian movement in Jerusalem, and that is why Peter had requested that someone get word to this James that an angel had delivered Peter from prison!
While Paul and Barnabas were recuperating and re-engaging in life and ministry in Syrian Antioch, James was completing and beginning to distribute an important letter the Holy Spirit had led James to write to the first generation of Christians, primarily the Messianic Jewish Christians.
We have that letter in our New Testament, and it’s simply called ‘James’ and you’ll find it right after the book of Hebrews and before Peter’s two letters.
Now please remember friends, there was NO New Testament yet. Neither Matthew, Mark, Luke nor John had yet written their account of Jesus’ life! By this time, it was nearly 25 years after Jesus’s death, resurrection and ascension, and still the first-generation Christians were depending upon the apostles to teach them the story and message of Jesus, since they had been eyewitnesses!
Today, let’s take a moment to look at the first chapter of this remarkable letter written to the first generation of Christians. Do you notice James introduces himself as “…a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.” (James 1:1) He did not use the term apostle, but rather servant!
With his first words I think this James is remembering how he mocked Jesus when they were young, but now James declares Jesus is his Lord, his Savior, his Messiah and he declares himself Jesus’ servant! Do you also see James is writing to “…the twelve tribes scattered among the nations.” James is writing to his fellow Jews everywhere in the Roman empire, but especially those who, like him, have trusted Jesus to be their Messiah and Savior!
Suffering was a part of everyday life for these first century Christians, and James starts his letter with a radical statement: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, when you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance…” (James 1:2)
Remember please that a few years before Saul the Pharisee had led a horrific persecution of the Christians in Jerusalem, forcing most of them to flee the city! (Acts 8:1)
James himself had likely suffered and of course he was well aware of the execution of both Stephen and James the apostle. The Holy Spirit wanted Jesus followers, then and now, to know living a God honoring life will experience ridicule and persecution, and even attacks of the dark kingdom, which might lead some to forsake Jesus. But for those who will stand strong, the Holy Spirit will bring wisdom, emotional and spiritual strength, and fortitude to grow.
James encouraged these suffering Christians with these words: “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life, that the Lord has promised to those who love Him.” (James 1:12)
As James’ letter made its way to Syrian Antioch, I have no doubt Paul and Barnabas, and the other leaders of the Christian movement there, greatly rejoiced and carefully made many more copies which could be sent to clusters of Christians in other towns and villages. Eventually we believe this little letter may well have been the FIRST letter to make its way across the Roman empire, as the beginning of the collection of Holy Spirit inspired letters we now call our New Testament.
Let’s pause right here and may I urge you to take the time to read the powerful first chapter of James’ letter? Do so with a pen in hand ready to mark down on paper every time the Holy Spirit stirs your heart to pay attention to a particular verse. Pause there, asking the Holy Spirit to guide you in properly applying it to your life. By the time you finish all 5 chapters, over the next few days, I’m confident you’ll have several pages of Holy Spirit inspired notes which you will likely treasure and refer back to often, for the rest of your life!
As always, you’ll find “lessons learned” notes at the link below and a wonderful worship song which will draw you to Jesus in worship and prayer. And I’ll be here, of course, waiting for you tomorrow.
Today’s Scripture: James 1.
Choose below to read or listen.
 |  |
Bible images provided with attribution to www.LumoProject.com.
Have a comment or question about today’s chapter? I’m ready to hear from you, contact me here.
Pastor Doug Anderson
“Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, with our eyes fixed on Jesus…” (Heb. 12:1,2)
Archived back issues of “Walking with Jesus” and other resources are available by clicking here to open our ‘home page’ (or go to HOME at upper right of this page).
Share with friends. Subscribe below for daily “Walking with Jesus”.