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James's Profile
Jesus singled out three of his
12 disciples for special training. James, his brother John, and Peter made up
this inner circle. Each eventually played a key role in the early church. Peter
became a great speaker, John became a major writer, and James was the first of
the 12 disciples to die for the faith.
The fact that his name is always mentioned before John's
indicates that James was the older brother. Zebedee, their father, owned a
fishing business where they worked along with Peter and Andrew. When Peter,
Andrew, and John left Galilee to see John the Baptist, James stayed back with
the boats and fishing nets. Later, when Jesus called them, James was as eager as
his partners to follow.
James enjoyed being in the inner circle of Jesus' disciples,
but he misunderstood Jesus' purpose. He and his brother even tried to secure
their role in Jesus' kingdom by asking Jesus to promise them each a special
position. Like the other disciples, James had a limited view of what Jesus was
doing on earth, picturing only an earthly kingdom that would overthrow Rome and
restore Israel's former glory. But above all, James wanted to be with Jesus. He
had found the right leader, even though he was still on the wrong timetable. It
took Jesus' death and resurrection to correct his view.
James was the first of the 12 disciples to die for the
gospel. He was willing to die because he knew Jesus had conquered death, the
doorway to eternal life. Our expectations about life will be limited if this
life is all we can see. Jesus promised eternal life to those willing to trust
him. If we believe this promise, he will give us the courage to stand for him
even during dangerous times.
James's Strengths and Accomplishments
1. One of the 12 disciples
2. One of a special inner circle of three with Peter and John
3. First of the 12 disciples to be killed for his faith
James's Weaknesses and Mistakes
1. Two outbursts from James indicate struggles
with temper (Luke 9:54) and selfishness (Mark 10:37). Both times, he and his
brother, John, spoke as one
Lesson from James's Life
1. Loss of life is not too heavy a price to pay
for following Jesus
James's Vital Statistics
1. Where: Galilee
2. Occupations: Fisherman, disciple
3. Relatives: Father: Zebedee. Mother: Salome. Brother: John
4. Contemporaries: Jesus, Pilate, Herod Agrippa
Key Verses
"Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came
to him. 'Teacher,' they said, 'we want you to do for us whatever we ask.' 'What
do you want me to do for you?' he asked. They replied, 'Let one of us sit at
your right and the other at your left in your glory' " (Mark 10:35-37).
James's story is told in the Gospels. He is also
mentioned in Acts 1:13 and Acts 12:2.
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