STEADFAST FAITH: James and Jesus

Dear Friends, 

Today we will finally begin our study of the book of James! Up until now, I’ve primarily been introducing you to this book and its author. But now - finally - we get to read James’ words, inspired by the Holy Spirit. From the very first sentence, I believe we can hear James’ heart. In fact, I think it contains a little bit about his story. Here is the verse…see for yourself:

James 1:1

James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,

To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion:

Greetings.

Did you hear it? Could you hear James telling his story? If not, maybe I can help!  

The opening greeting of James’ letter is very typical for his day and age. It contains his name, a little bit about who he is, and who his intended audience is named as well. Today,, let’s look closely at what James has revealed about his life simply by how he has introduced himself.

To begin, let’s look at the meaning of James’ name. As you may already know, names are very significant in Scripture. A person’s name often reveals something about their character. The NT Greek name “James” is actually the same as the OT Hebrew name “Jacob.” It means “supplanter,” which evokes a word picture meaning to ‘grasp the heel.’ These are just fancy ways of saying that the name “James” means to uproot or replace someone as if they are inferior - and to do so by force or treachery. When I put all of these ideas together, I imagine someone trying to walk or run down a determined path…but then somebody who is secretly lying in wait reaches out and grabs their foot, causing them to trip and fall down. What an ambush! We need to commit this imagery to memory - because it will help us better understand some of the verses that lie ahead in this book! 

I believe the meaning of James’ name tells the story of his past. It’s a picture of who he was before he placed his steadfast faith in Jesus. If so, his faith radically transformed his life and character! This makes sense since we know that he later earned the nickname ‘James the Just,’ indicating that he was well known for being a man of righteousness and virtue.  

After James gives us his name - he further describes himself as a “servant” or ‘bond slave.’ I think this is one of the many ways James is exhibiting humility. Based on the word James used, this is the type of servant who has given himself or herself up completely to the will of another. It is a choice. It’s not forced. It also indicates a person who is so devoted to another, that they disregard their own interests. This is a term often used to refer to true worshipers of God. Because these types of servants obey the Lord’s commands, they are seen as agents of God’s purposes in the world. God uses His servants to accomplish His purposes. If you wonder whether this was true of James…let’s keep reading and come back to that question at the end of my letter to you today.

Who does James say he was a servant of? He states that he is a servant of both God and the Lord Jesus Christ. Does this spark any questions in your mind? For instance, why did he mention both “God” and “the Lord Jesus Christ?” Surely he knows Jesus IS God. Then why name them separately? I think I might know.  

I have often wondered what it must have been like for James to grow up with Jesus, his older half-brother. I wonder what he noticed about Jesus. And I really wonder how he responded in his heart to what he noticed about Jesus. I tend to think it would be obvious to James that Jesus was “good.” He would have watched Jesus live out his goodness day in and day out. He would have seen Jesus as perfectly loving, kind, gracious, gentle, and merciful.  

But I wonder if it was as obvious to James that Jesus was “powerful?” Could he have seen that Jesus was sovereign and mighty? Especially prior to Jesus’ public ministry, maybe this wasn’t easy for James to see. But once Jesus did display His power in ministry, I wonder how James responded in his heart. Perhaps it was easy to accept that Jesus was good. But maybe it wasn’t so easy to accept that Jesus was God. 

But now! Now, as he writes this letter to the scattered churches, James openly proclaims that Jesus is God! In fact, he even goes on to refer to Jesus as both “Lord” and “Christ.” Wait until you hear what that would have represented to James!

Let’s start with the word “Christ.” This is just the Greek word for Messiah. And for our purposes, it means that James eventually came to realize that Jesus was not only God, He was also the Messiah. Can you imagine the moment when he finally realized that Jesus was the fulfillment of every single OT prophecy about the Messiah!? I wonder if he did cartwheels!? Or did he jump up and down for joy? Well, I doubt it. Even as a saved guy he seems kinda serious to me. Lol More realistically, maybe he sat down and wept.  

James also referred to Jesus as his “Lord.” In Greek this word is “kyrios.” Would you believe that calling Jesus “kyrios” could have cost James his life!? The political rulers of his time preferred to be called by this title. Should anyone proclaim allegiance to any competing ‘lords,’ it could lead to execution. There were many Christians who proclaimed Jesus as their “Lord” who were consequently fed to the lions in the arenas of the Greeks!  

Yet in this letter, James is not secretly declaring his allegiance to Jesus. He is publicly proclaiming, in writing, that Jesus is LORD! And then he is sending it to who-knows-where in the world! Apparently, he wasn’t concerned with who saw it! He was willing to risk his very life for his God, Messiah, and Lord who had willingly laid down His own life for James…even while James was still a supplanter.

I think this gives us the answer to the question…was James truly a bond slave and servant of Jesus? Oh, yes! He is writing his letter to many who are suffering for the Name of Christ. And James is willing to suffer for the Name of Jesus as well. The very first sentence of the letter is proof that he is leading them by example! He’s humbly laid aside any secret, treacherous interests of his own to openly live out his steadfast faith in His Lord, Jesus Christ. It surely inspired those who received his letter. May it inspire us today as well!

Looking to the Lord Jesus, 

Tina 

P.S. As members of God’s family, Jesus is our big Brother. Just like James! Therefore, I encourage you to reflect on ways you are living as a servant of Jesus. How are you serving His purposes? Have you willingly forsaken your own interests in favor of His desires? Are there any secret places in your heart where you have not been trusting Jesus’ goodness? Or His greatness? Join Ol’ Camel Knees, and pray about these things. And enjoy the opportunity to declare your allegiance to Jesus as your Lord!