James the Great (martyred for the Lord, 44 AD)
READ: Matthew 4:21-22; Matthew 20:20-28; Acts 12:1-2
Ten years after the martyrdom of
Stephen, the apostle James was beheaded in Jerusalem. James and his brother
John were two peas in a pod; rarely do they appear separately in the gospels.
They showed great faith from the beginning, for when Jesus called them out of
their fishing boat, they immediately
left their father and their livelihood. Perhaps they got their boldness from
their mother, who unashamedly asks Jesus to reserve esteemed spots for her sons
in heaven. Jesus asks them a hard question which they answer flippantly, not
knowing the depth of what they are submitting themselves to. History tells us
just how the Apostle James drank the cup of our Lord. In 44 AD, King Herod
Agrippa sought to stop the spread of Christianity by attacking church leaders.
James was arrested on the accusation of one man who, when he saw the joy and
extraordinary courage of the apostle, surrendered himself to Jesus and begged
James’ forgiveness. Declaring himself a Christian, James’ accuser was arrested
as well. Together, he and James bent their heads to the sword. With the joy of
the resurrection set before him, James did indeed share Christ’s cup.
JOURNALING AND PRAYER
1. Where do you feel weak in your faith?
2. Ask God how He wants to grow your faith this summer. What does He want to do in your heart?
3. Thank God for what He has shown you, and pray that it would become a reality in your life.
