James the Apostle

Who was James the Apostle?

James, the son of Zebedee was one of the twelve disciples of Jesus. He was a fisherman by trade along with his brother John who worked with his father in the family business. Jesus gave James and his brother John the nickname, “Sons of Thunder”. James, along with John and Peter was also part of the “inner circle” of Jesus and a “pillar” of the early church.

Jesus calls James

According to the accounts in the Gospels of Matthew (4:21-22), Mark (1:19-20), and Luke (5:10-11), Jesus was walking along the Sea of Galilee when He saw James and John mending their nets in their boat. Jesus called James and John to follow Him. The brothers responded immediately, leaving their boat, their nets, and their father behind with the hired men to follow Jesus.

Significant Characteristics & Contributions

Loyalty and Commitment: James was quick to respond to the call of Jesus. He left his livelihood and family behind immediately to follow Jesus (Matthew 4:21,22)

Passionate and Zealous: James was known for his fervent and passionate nature. This was the reason for his nickname from Jesus, who called him and his brother John, “Boanerges,” which means “Sons of Thunder” (Mark 3:17)

Ambition & Desire for Honor: James along with his brother John, asked Jesus for the privilege to sit at His right and left in His glory (Mark 10:35-40). This shows an ambition on their part, at a time when they did not fully understand the mission of Jesus.

Inner Circle: James along with his brother John, and Peter were often referred to as the “inner circle” of Jesus or the “pillars” of the early church. They were chosen to be part of certain important events like the Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-19) and Jesus’ agonizing moments in the Garden of Gethsemane (Mark 14:33,34).

Legacy in Spain (Tradition): According to Christian tradition, James the Greater is believed to have traveled to Spain to preach the Gospel before returning to Jerusalem, where he was martyred. While there is no biblical evidence to support this, the tradition has had a lasting impact, particularly in Spain, where James is venerated as the patron saint.

Martyrdom

James is believed to be the first of the apostles to be martyred. According to the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 12:1-2), he was put to death by Herod Agrippa I around 44 AD. James’ martyrdom was a significant event in the early church showing the seriousness of persecution faced by the early Christians.

James’ life story from a simple fisherman to a leader in the early church and eventually a martyr for the faith serves as a powerful example of how Jesus can transform lives.