James, Simon & Judas
The Apostles • Sermon • Submitted
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Continuing with our series on the apostles, we are going to chat about three persons tonight. This group don’t seem like they are too close, less close than the other eight. There is virtually nothing in the Gospel narratives, they were anointed apostles.
The three that we are looking at tonight is James, Simon - the Zealot and Judas the Apostle with three names. The other apostle left we will leave til another date that would be Judas the traitor.
The apostles were men who gave up everything to follow Christ. Peter spoke for them all when he said:
Then Peter said, “See, we have left all and followed You.”
They left houses, lands, family, and friends to follow Jesus. Their sacrifice was heroic, with the exception of Judas Iscariot.
The apostles are real people, ordinary men and when they come to the foreground it is to manifest doubt, disbelief, or confusion. Their shortcomings and weaknesses show up more often than their strengths. These men are not portrayed as heros in the Gospel records, their heroism played out after Jesus went back to heaven, sent the Holy Spirit, and empowered them. Suddenly they act differently: strong and courageous. They perform great miracles. They preach with newfound boldness.
So tonight we are going to examine the last group of apostles and they have their own distinctions.
James, Son of Alphaeus
James, Son of Alphaeus
Simon (whom he named Peter), Andrew (Peter’s brother), James, John, Philip, Bartholomew,
Matthew, Thomas, James (son of Alphaeus), Simon (who was called the zealot),
Judas (son of James), Judas Iscariot (who later betrayed him).
The only thing in scripture tells about this man is his name. If he ever wrote anything it is lost to history. If he asked any questions or did anything to stand out from the group it was not recorded in scripture. He never attained a degree of fame, he was utterly obscure, and even had a common name.
There are several men with the name James in the New Testament. There was James son of Zebdee whom we already met a number of weeks ago. There was another James who was the son of Mary and Joseph and therefore a half brother of Christ.
But I saw none of the other apostles except James, the Lord’s brother.
James Jesus’s half brother became a leader in the Jerusalem church and wrote the epistle of James.
All we know about this James in question is that he was the son of Alpheus and that his mother was Mary. Also his brother is Joses.
There were also women looking on from afar, among whom were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the Less and of Joses, and Salome,
There were also women looking on from afar, among whom were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the Less and of Joses, and Salome,
Mark
Mark
Mark
Some women were there, watching from a distance, including Mary Magdalene, Mary (the mother of James the younger and of Joseph), and Salome.
They had been followers of Jesus and had cared for him while he was in Galilee. Many other women who had come with him to Jerusalem were also there.
Joses must have been well-known as a follower of the Lord (though not an apostle), because his name is mentioned repeatedly. Their mom Mary was a devoted follower of Christ as well. She was the eyewitness to the crucifixion and was one of the women who came to prepare Jesus’ body for burial.
Saturday evening, when the Sabbath ended, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome went out and purchased burial spices so they could anoint Jesus’ body.
Other than the minimal details that we have about his family, this James is utterly obscure. His lack of prominence is even reflected in his nickname - “James the Less”.
There were also women looking on from afar, among whom were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the Less and of Joses, and Salome,
The Greek word for Less is mikros which literally means little, or small in stature. This could have been referring to his physical features. Perhaps he was a small-framed man. Or it could have been the fact that he was young in age. He may have been younger than James son of Zebedee.
But most likely the nickname was due to his influence. James the son of Zebedee was a man of prominence. His family was known to the high priest and part of the Lord’s most intimate circle. He was the better known of the two James.
James son of Alpheus was known as the little James or James the Less.
James was most likely a small, young, quiet person who stayed mostly in the background. The thing that makes him most interesting is his obsecurity.
He sought no recognition, displayed no great leadership, asked no critical questions. He demonstrated no unusual insight. Only his name remains, his life and labors are immersed in obscurity.
He was one of the twelve. The Lord selected him for a reason, trained and empowered him like the others and sent him out as a witness.
Don’t you think he reminds us of those unnamed persons mentioned in
who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,
quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.
Women received their dead raised to life again. Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection.
Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment.
They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented—
of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth.
Why are we looking at James the less? I believe that we need to see the testimonies of people like him those whom his world barely remembers and knows little to nothing about.
Early church history is also mostly silent about this man. Some legends confuse him with James the Lord’s brother. There is some evidence that James the less spoke in Syria and Persia.
Accounts of how he died differ, some say he was stoned some say he was beaten and others say he was crucifued like his Lord.
We do know that he was a powrful preacher like the others.
Truly the signs of an apostle were accomplished among you with all perseverance, in signs and wonders and mighty deeds.
His name will be inscribed on one of the gates of the heavenly city.
The disciples’ importance did not stem from their pedigree. If that was important scripture would have recorded that. What made these men important was the Lord whom they served and the message they proclaimed. Lacking details about the men themselves is ok, Heaven will reveal the full truth of whom they wre and what they were like.
They were chosen by the Lord, empowered by the Holy Spirit and used by God to carry the gospel to the world of their day.
What we need to keep in mind James was called to follow Christ and he was obedient. But one huge reason was to be empowered by the Holy Spirit at Pentecost and to preach the word. Scripture doesn’t give a full biography because it always keeps the focus on the power of the cross and the power of the word and not the mere men who were instruments of that power.
The vessel is not the issue, the Master is!
No one shows that truth better than James the less, son of Alpheus. He may have been able to claim that he was Matthew’s brother or Jesus’ cousin but he went quietly unnotied through the enture gospel. The world remembers nothing about him but in eternity he will receive a full reward.
Mark 10
So Jesus answered and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel’s,
who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time—houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions—and in the age to come, eternal life.
But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”
Simon the Zealot
Simon the Zealot
Matthew, Thomas, James (son of Alphaeus), Simon (who was called the zealot),
Simon the Cananite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him.
Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Cananite;
He was called Zealot or Cananite which is not a reference to the land of Canaan or the village of Cana.
Cananite comes from the Hebrew root qanna which means to be zealous.
Simon was a one time member of the political party the Zealots. The fact that he bore the title of all his life may also suggest that he had a fiery, zealous temperament. The Zealots were widely feared and well-known outlaw sect.
The Zealots were extremist in every sense. Like the Pharisees they interpreted the law literally. The Zealots were militant, violent outlaws, they believed only God Himself had the right to rule over the Jews. They believed they were doing God’s work by assassinating the Roman soldiers, political leaders and anyone else who opposed them.
This group was hoping the Messiah that would lead them in overthrowing the Romans and restore the kingdom to Israel. They wre red hot patriots ready to die in an instant for what they believed in.
The Zealots blind hatred of Rome and everything Roman provoked the destruction of their own city. The spirit of the movement was insane and ultimately self-destructive.
Simon was one of them. When Matthew and Mark listed the Twelve they listed Simon just before Judas Iscariot. When Jesus sent the disciples out two by two in , it is likely that Simon and Judas Iscariot were a team. They probably both originally followed Christ for similar political reasons. But somewhere along the line Simon became a genuine believer and was transformed. Judas Iscariot never really believed.
When Jesus did not overthrow Rome, but instead talked of dying, some might have expected Simon to be the betrayer - a man of such deep passion, zeal, and political conviction that he would align himself on the wrong side. But that was before he met Jesus.
What a difference Jesus makes to our lives!
Here we see a life that could have been destroyed but an encounter with Jesus set him on the right path.
It is amazing that Jesus would select a man like Simon to be an apostle. But he was a man of fierce loyalties, amazing passion, courage and zeal. Simon had believed the truth and embraced Christ as his Lord. The fiery enthusiasm he once had for Israel was now expressed in his devotion to Christ.
Simon took the gospel north and preached in the Bristish Isles.
There is no record of what happened to him but all accounts say he was killed for preaching the gospel. This man who was once willing to kill and be killed for a policitcal agenda within the confines of Judea foud a more fruitful case for which to give his life by proclaiming salvation for sinners out of every nation, tongue and tribe.
Judas, Son of James
Judas, Son of James
The name Judas is a fine name it means “Jehovah leads”. But beause of the treachery of Judas Iscariot the name Judas will forever bear a negative connotation.
When he is mentioned in the book of John he is called Judas not Iscariot.
Judas (not Iscariot) said to Him, “Lord, how is it that You will manifest Yourself to us, and not to the world?”
Judas son of James actually had three names (Jerome referred to him as “Trinomious” - the man with three names.)
Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus;
Judas was probably the name given him at birth
Labbaeus and Thaddaeus were essentially nicknames.
Thaddaeus means “breast child” - evoking the idea of a nursing baby - like momma’s boy.
Perhaps he was the youngest in the family and therefore the baby of his sibblings.
Lebbaeus is similar a Hebrew root that refers to the heart - literally “heart child”.
Both names suggst he had a tender childlike heart.
It feels odd that someonewith such a gentle soul would be hanging around in the same group of four apostles as Simon the Zealot. But the Lord can use both kinds. Zealots make great preachers but so do tender hearted, compassionate, gentle, sweet spirited souls like Lebbaeus Thaddaeus.
He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.”
He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.”
Judas (not Iscariot) said to Him, “Lord, how is it that You will manifest Yourself to us, and not to the world?”
John 14:
Here we see the tender hearted humility of this man. He doesn’t say anything brash, bold or overconfident.
He doesn’t rebuke the Lord life Peter once did. His question is full of gentleness and meekness and devoid of any sort of pride. He could not believe that Jesus would manifest Himself to this rag tag group of eleven, and not to the whole world.
Jesus was the Savior of the World!
He was the rightful heir of the earth - the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
The disciples always believed that Jesus would set up His kingdom and subdue all things to Himself.
The thing I want to point out here is the fact we limit God’s power so often and limit His ability. His ways are bigger than what we can think. We need to stop dreaming small dreams, stop limiting God who has no limits and realize that He is Bigger, Greater, and beyond our human comprehension!
The good news of forgiveness and salvation was certainly good news for all the world!
The disciples knew it well but the rest of the world was still clueless!
So Judas, son of James wanted to know “Why are you going to disclose Yourself to us and not to the Whole world?”
He wanted to know why He wasn’t going to make Himself known to everyone. He was still hoping to see the kingdom come to earth. We can’t fault him for that that is how Jesus taught him how to pray.
So He said to them, “When you pray, say: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.
The answer from Jesus:
Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.
Christ is a personal God and will manifest himself to anyone who loves Him!
Judas son of James was still thinking in the political and material realm.
Jesus’ answer meant I am not going to take over the world externally, He is going to take over hearts one at a time. If anyone loves Me, He will keep My Word. And if he Keeps My Word, My Father and I will come to him and together we’ll set up the kingdom in his heart.
After Pentecost Judas son of James took the gospel north to Edessa which is Turkey today. There are numerous accounts of how He healed the king of Edessa, a man named Abgar.
He was clubbed to death for his faith. Such a gentle man with a horrific end.
He followed his Lord faithfully to the end. His testimony was powerful and far reaching as that of better know and more outspoken disciples.
All these men prove that God uses perfectly ordinary people in remarkable ways and proves His power, glory and life sustaining grace. This evening I want you to remember He wants to use you. He doesn’t care if you are well know, outlaw, or tender hearted. He wants to transform your heart and life surrender yourself to Him and let Him have his way in your life.
All to Jesus I surrender Casting Crowns
Anyone who doesn’t love me will not obey me. And remember, my words are not my own. What I am telling you is from the Father who sent me.
Anyone who doesn’t love me will not obey me. And remember, my words are not my own. What I am telling you is from the Father who sent me.
I am telling you these things now while I am still with you.
Anyone who doesn’t love me will not obey me. And remember, my words are not my own. What I am telling you is from the Father who sent me.