St. James the Elder

Mark 10:35-37

And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came up to him and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” And he said to them, “What do you want me to do for you?” And they said to him, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.”

July 25 is a day the church has chosen to commemorate St. James the Elder, the brother of John.  Since yesterday was July 25th, your pastor may have mentioned St. James in his sermon.  We are thankful for the faithful believers that God has used in the past, and still uses today, to share the Gospel with all nations.

When it comes to sharing the good news of Jesus, you may rightly think that there are others better suited for such a high calling than you.  Seriously, how many of us walked with Jesus and witnessed His miracles.  This is true!  James was wonderfully prepared to share the Gospel from the perspective of a first hand witness.  He did share the Gospel faithfully, and even to the point of martyrdom, He remained faithful in His calling.  He was, in fact, the first of the apostles to die as a martyr.

But, it is also important to remember that even the great apostles of the Lord, needed the Lord Jesus to be their Savior.  As we are sinners, so were they! They, like us, had no hope with Jesus.  The text I read for you illustrates this point.  James and John wanted to secure positions of honor as disciples.  We are not told in the Bible why they wanted this honor.  But, along with the other disciples, we may speculate about their motives in wanting to be first.  This isn’t helpful, but it is human nature to think less of James and John for their request.

Jesus, in Matthew 10, goes on to talk about what truly makes one great.  Greatness doesn’t come from being honored, but from being a humble servant, even to the point of death.  James and John thought themselves up to the challenge.  James, obviously, was willing to die for the Lord, and he did.  But, were it not for Jesus perfect sacrifice, all would have been lost for James, and for us.

Jesus offered Himself for us and through faith in Him we are forgiven and share in His resurrection to eternal life.  Whatever other honors God may decide to bestow on His servants isn’t our concern.  For in Jesus we have already been honored with forgiveness, eternal life, and a place in God’s eternal kingdom.

With that in mind, we can also be certain that because we have been so wondrously blessed by the Lord, we are “good enough” to share with others the Love of God in Jesus.  Being “good enough” in God’s plan, isn’t about us be first among each other, but about God putting us first in Jesus.  Therefore, we can simply share what God has done for us in Jesus. God Himself will give us the opportunities to tell others of our wonderful Savior Jesus.

Let us pray,

I thank you Lord Jesus for the ministry of your faithful apostles, and especially your servant James.  Help me to remember all those whom you have give to serve me with the Gospel in my congregation.  Strengthen me and grant me the words to share the joy of what Jesus has done for me with all who would hear.  I ask this in your name.  AMEN

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come,Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever.  Amen.