James (The Elder)

Historical

James is the least familiar of the three disciples that comprised Jesus’s inner circle.

James (Jacob) lived in Capernaum with his brother John and was partnered with Peter and Andrew.

James was the son of Zebedee. Zebedee was a person of status in the community.

He was a person of financial means because he was able to employ other workers. (Mk 1:20),

After the arrest of Jesus we know that John the brother of James was known to the High Priest and thus able to gain admittance to the courtyard.

John MacArthur highlights there is early church tradition that alludes to Zebedee being a Levite and closely related to the High Priest’s family in Jerusalem.

Elder brother and financial means

Because of James’ status as the elder brother of John combined with his social status it is logical to see these circumstances as influential in how James saw himself in the company of the other apostles.

James likely saw himself as the natural leader of the group and was the starting point for many of their disputes about greatness in the company whilst following Jesus. (Lk 22:24),

James never enjoyed any level of prominence over the group save that he was martyred first by Herod Agrippa about 15 yrs after the events of Jesus.

An Influence Nevertheless

James though was influential. In two of the lists of the apostle’s that scripture gives us he is listed second under Peter. (Mk 3:16-19, Acts 1:13)

James was a member of the inner circle with Peter and John.

Witnessed:

Raising of Jairus’s daughter

Mt. of Transfiguration

Was among the small group of disciples that spoke with Jesus asking questions on The Mt. of Olives.

In the Garden of Gethsemane he prayed with Jesus with the other two.

James bore witness to the power of Jesus over death, the glory of Jesus’ divinity, and Jesus’s sovereignty with all of Jesus’s foretelling coming to pass.

A follower With Intensity

A Nickname but unlike with Simon-Peter

Boanerges (Bo-an-er-gh-yes) which means “Sons of Thunder”

James was zealous, passionate, thunderous, and fervent.

The Old Testament character he would align with could be Jehu, who was known for pushing the limits. Jehu was on his face all in for God but had deeper motives that ultimately rejected God.

Now, James might not of have been on the same road but definitely was walking a similar one. But Jesus gives this “Anti-nickname” Possibly to remind James to be concerned with the motives leading to his unbridled enthusiasm.

Jehu was a zealous and driven leader ultimately for his own power. James was to become a leader under the power of the Name of Jesus.

Jehu sought his own glory. James was to put aside glory.

James offsets Andrew as well. Andrew was content with ushering people to Jesus in the background but James is concerned with putting Jesus’s power of display through him.

In Mark’s Gospel you heard Jesus was traveling through Samaria on his way to Jerusalem and wants to stay in a certain village. That village rejects Jesus and his followers (likely because Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem to worship and not worshiping in their temple.)

James has seen what Jesus can do and who Jesus is among them. He is offended on behalf of his master. He seeks to “teach them a lesson they will never forget”

“Revenge is a dish best served cold”- Shakespeare

James believes he might be endowed by Jesus with the power of Elijah who called down fire from heaven. So he says to Jesus basically “you want us to call down fire from heaven?” James is all about defending Jesus’ honor but wants to show off in a big way as well. Why not leave an impression?

This is arrogance, this is ego to make this type of request. James doesn’t feel that he is wrong because we can look at the prophets of God who acted on God’s behalf to smite His enemy.

Elijah and John the Baptist shared commonalities with James. Though with Jesus’s ministry what they offered as justice was against all that Jesus was teaching.

James’s zeal was devoid of mercy and compassion. In short James needed a lesson in grace.

James witnessed Jesus rebuke the Jewish authorities and temple leaders. Jesus cursed the cities of Chorazin and Bethsaida. Jesus cast out demons.

Zeal when used for righteousness becomes virtue not vice.

When zeal is expressed without wisdom it can lead to self ruin. Zeal separated from empathy can become cruelty. When zeal descends into chaotic actions it become lethal.

Jesus wanted the zealous heart of James and John, and their thunderous traits but under his harness.

A horse that is wild is of no value but one that comes under bridle and direction will bring much success. -Old Country Proverb

a horse pulling and jumping about will not get the field ready for planting.

The Great Pivot

James desires to call fire from heaven to consume those set against Jesus. James desires to sit in the place of authority when Jesus comes into His kingdom.

James is concerned about what become of him in this little band of men and his role in the greater story. James wants Jesus to know that he is all in. But like Jehu we must ask “Is it for Jesus or for yourself?”

Like an athlete that focuses not on the team but their personal success things may go well for a time but ultimately ego begets activity.

James needed to get rid of his ego.

Jesus asks James “Can you be baptized with my baptism and drink the cup which I drink?”

Of course James is that over confident student so enthusiastic to gain status that he declares without hesitation YES!! I can.

Jesus responds you will do so but who sits at my side is not for me to say. The last will be first and the first will be last. Who wants to be the greatest must become the least.

Jesus knows what will take place. He knows that James is serious and committed that he will die for his faith in Jesus. He will ascend to be the the first martyr of Christianity.

James wanted a crown of glory but Jesus offers a cup of suffering. James wanted power but Jesus offers servanthood. James wanted prominence of influence but Jesus offered the grave of a martyr.

Rather than live his zealous passions and ambitions for his own prestige Jesus showed him how to be humble and how to sacrifice. James became a useful servant of the Kingdom of God.

We read about the death of James in Acts but also in the work of Eusebious that was handed down from Clement of Alexandria. “Clement says that the one who lead James to the judgment-seat, when he saw him bearing his testimony, was moved, and confessed that he himself was a Christian. They were both therefore, he says lead away together; and on the way he begged James to forgive him. And [James], after considering for a little, said ‘peace be with thee’ and kissed him. And thus they were both beheaded at the same time.”

James was a passionate zealous, ambitious, strong, and dynamic person who learned from Jesus and was transformed by the Holy Spirit to direct his passion, discipline his anger, become an offerer of forgiveness and compassion, and lost his desire for selfish ambition.

James is evidence that God can use our most thunderous traits once they are sanctified in service to His kingdom. James was a Son of Thunder, this Ordinary Follower who became with Jesus an Extraordinary Influence.