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JAMES: THE LORD’S BROTHER
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19
Acts 15:13-21

Galatians 1:19

 

“But other of the apostles saw I none,

save James the Lord’s brother.”

 

JAMES: THE LORD’S BROTHER
 
James, the Lord’s brother, must not be neglected even though he first rejected the Lord Jesus. James is listed first among the brothers of Jesus, indicating that he was likely the oldest (Matt 13:55; Mark 6:3). Paul later named him as one of the leaders he met in Jerusalem three years after his conversion (Gal 1:19). In the Gospels, James is mentioned to highlight his family’s humble status in their village (Matt 13:55; Mark 6:3). He might have been among the brothers who accompanied Jesus to Capernaum (John 2:12), and later, he and his siblings urged Jesus to go to Judaea during the Feast of Tabernacles (John 7:3). At that time, however, they did not yet believe in Him (John 7:5).
 
James’ early unbelief reminds us that one can be so near to Christ and yet so far from salvation. Growing up with Jesus, he saw His humanity: His hunger, His weariness. He might have struggled to accept Jesus’ divinity. Truly, familiarity breeds contempt. James and his siblings could not easily acknowledge Him as God while seeing Him daily in their home.
 
It is only by the grace of God that anyone can see the truth about Jesus. Many hear the Gospel, know it well, and even speak of it, yet remain unbelieving. Judas Iscariot himself spent over three years with Jesus, proclaiming Him to others, but never truly believed.
 
James, however, came to faith, likely because of the resurrection. When he realised that his brother, who had died and been buried for three days, had risen again, his eyes were opened. This stupendous miracle was the turning point. By God’s grace, James believed, and later became a pillar of the church in Jerusalem. His story reminds us that salvation is always the work of God’s grace. No matter how close we may be to the things of God, only His mercy can bring us to faith in Christ. This truth echoes the cry of the sixteenth-century Reformation: Soli Deo Gloria, to God alone be the glory!
 
THOUGHT: Do I humbly acknowledge the grace of God upon me, knowing that salvation is His work alone?
PRAYER: Father, I am saved from all my sins only because of the finished work of Christ. May I live each day giving glory to Thee alone.

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