Who Do I Relate To? James?

Shaking their hands in the air at one another while yelling and pointing at the choir members; I just knew a fight would break out at any moment. My only comfort came in that I was in a church, these people loved each other, and they wanted to share a meal with us. Sons of thunder come to mind when I think back to that day in Romania.

Thunder rumbles in the air above as storms begin to roll in; unlike lightening which quickly appears, strikes an object, then disappears. Can you not see these sons of thunder walking about after they heard something they disagreed with mumbling and grumbling to themselves and perhaps with each other? It had to be loud enough for everyone to take notice. They obviously spoke their minds, but they loved each other none the less. And, Jesus tolerated this, forgiving them for the weakness in their outlook.

James was the older, responsible brother who stayed behind with the family while his younger brother, John, went to hear John the Baptizer's teachings. He was part of a successful family business which had hired workers in two towns.

He is most known for falling asleep when Jesus prayed in the garden before being arrested by the Roman guards. Yet, that was not the first time. Luke 9:32 talks about the time right before Elijah and Moses show up to the mountain top. Intercession was not his driving force to stay awake.

It was in that same experience that he heard the voice of God for the first time, coming out of the cloud that surrounded him. He feared God enough to know to drop to the ground immediately, face first. And, he didn't get up until Jesus gave the all's clear.

Then after all that, when the group was making their final trip up to Jerusalem he had the guts to ask Jesus to seat him at his side in heaven. Or was it audacity? Took a lot of nerve to ask such a question, especially right after Jesus tells the group about the trauma he's about to face when they get to Jerusalem. All the same, James knew Jesus well enough to know he could ask anything. The answer he received was a gentle rebuke resulting in the promise of a tough road before reaching heaven.

As a believer he had it all. Saw the appearance of Jesus change when he prayed privately. Had the favor of being asked into the inner circle; up close and personal with the Son of God, so to speak. Seeing miracles close at hand (a huge catch of fish after a night of failure; the spirit return to the dead body of Jairus's daughter).

From the outside one would think he was going places...that nothing could stop him because he had the favor of God. But, in the end, he was cut off before he could get very far. Acts 12 tells us he was struck down by Herod's sword.

I think it's wonderful that James knew Jesus well enough that he felt free to ask whatever was on his mind and to just be himself without any pretenses. And, I can definitely relate to how hard it is to continue to be in prayer when someone else is doing the talking...it is not always easy.

You can read about him in the following passages: Matthew 4:21, 10:2, 17:1-13, 26:36-46; Mark 1:19, 3:7-18, 5:35-43, 9:2-13, 10:35-45, 14:32-42; Luke 5:1-11, 6:14, 8:49-56, 9:28-36; John 21; Acts 12:1-2.