From My Heart To You

JAMES


James, the son of Zebedee, sometimes called James the Greater,
was the brother of the apostle John. Jesus called the two
brothers to His service while they mended their nets in the
family fishing boat by the shore of the Sea of Galilee. James
and John left their nets and followed Jesus.

Jesus named the brothers Boanerges, meaning "Sons of Thunder,"
because, it is said, of their fiery temper. He had occasion
to rebuke them at times. Once they wanted Him to burn down a
Samaritan village with fire from heaven. Another time they showed
an unworthy interest in the temporal rewards of Christ's kingdom.
Jesus corrected their false attitudes, reminding them that His
kingdom required meekness and humility. It is interesting to
note, however, that the apostles whom Jesus rebuked were the
very ones who were favored with His special friendship. It was
Peter, James and John, for instance, who were chosen to witness
His transfiguration, and to be nearest to Him during His agony
in the garden of Gethesemane.

We have no reliable records of James' ministry. Both traditions
that he not only preached in Spain but that his remains are buried
there, at Compostela, are almost certainly false. We do know,
however, that he was executed by King Herod Agrippa I (A.D. 42-44),
and ithat he is probably the first of the Twelve to be matyred.

Too often the greatness of Zebedee is obscured by the fame of
his two sons. We tend to forget Zebedee's considerable sacrifice
in allowing James and John to follow Jesus. He relied, no doubt, on
his son's youth and strength in running the family fishing boat.
Yet when Jesus called them Zebedfee let them make their own
decision and do what they judged, in conscience, was the right
to do.

Matthew 4:20-22

And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.

And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James
the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with
Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them.

And they immediately left the ship and their father, and
followed him.

Midi playing ~ He Looked Beyond My Faults