James the son of Zebedee
James was a loyal disciple of Jesus. James also made mistakes just like we all do. Jesus understands our careless, thoughtless and even unwise behavior. Jesus still loves us and can use us for His glory. We also learn that Jesus is the true God and is our eternal life.
Matthew 4:18-22; Mark 1:19; Mark 3:17; Luke 5:10
James was the son of Zebedee. He was a fisherman with his father and brother, John when he was chosen to be a Disciple of Jesus Christ. (Matthew 4:21; Mark 1:19). James the son of Zebedee was a partner with Simon Peter as fishermen. (Luke 5:10). James and his brother John were surnamed Boanerges, which is, the sons of thunder. (Mark 3:17).
James, John and Peter were present at the transfiguration of Jesus. This makes James, John and Peter part of an inner circle of Jesus, which gained His trust. (Matthew 17:1, Mark 9:2).
James, John and Peter were the only ones permitted to follow Jesus when He raised the daughter of Jairus. (Mark 5:37-43).
When it came time for Jesus to go to Jerusalem, Jesus sent messengers to enter into a village of the Samaritans to make ready for Him. The Samaritans did not receive Jesus. James and his brother John saw this and asked Jesus if they should command fire to come down from heaven and consume them like Elias did. Their fiery disposition was rebuked by Jesus. Because of James and John we know that the Son of man did not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them. (Luke 9: 51-56).
James and John came to Jesus and asked that He grant them to sit, one on His right hand, the other on His left hand, in His glory. Jesus replied to sit on His right and left hand was not His to give, that it shall be given to them for whom it was prepared. The other ten disciples were displeased with James and John for asking such a thing. Jesus told them whosever will be the chief, shall be servant of all. Even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. (Mark 10:35-45).
James, John and Peter followed Jesus to the Garden of Gethsemane. (Mark 14:33). James was with the other disciples who saw the risen Lord. (John 21:1-2).
James was up in an upper room with Peter, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James who waited for the Holy Spirit. (Acts 1:13).
James was imprisoned and later killed by king Herod by the sword when Herod tried to bring evil to bear on the church that was established on the foundation of Jesus Christ. This was during the Days of Unleavened Bread. (Acts 12:1-3).
What Can This Story Teach Us?
Three times James, John, and Peter were invited by Jesus to witness events no one else saw: the raising of the daughter of Jairus from the dead (Mark 5:37-47), the transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-3), and Jesus’ agony in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36-37).
James was a loyal disciple of Jesus. James also made mistakes just like we all do. When a Samaritan village rejected Jesus he wanted to call down fire from heaven upon the place. The mother of James and John also overstepped her bounds, asking Jesus to grant her sons special positions in his kingdom.
It is always good to know even though we make mistakes and do not always do what we should do we are still able to be loyal to Jesus. Jesus understands our careless, thoughtless and even unwise behavior. Jesus still loves us and can use us for His glory.
Following Jesus Christ can lead to hardship and persecution, but the reward is eternal life with him in heaven. The LORD God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son Jesus Christ. We must remember and know in our heart that Jesus is the Son of God and has come. Jesus has given us an understanding that we may know Him as being true and we are in Him. This is the true God, and eternal life. (1 John 5:11-20).
Cite Article Source
MLA Style Citation:
Holstein, Joanne “James the son of Zebedee:.” Becker Bible Studies Library Oct 2014.< https://guidedbiblestudies.com/?p=1734,>.
APA Style Citation:
Holstein, Joanne (2014, October) “James the son of Zebedee:.” Becker Bible Studies Library. Retrieved from https://guidedbiblestudies.com/?p=1734,.
Chicago Style Citation:
Holstein, Joanne (2014) “James the son of Zebedee:.” Becker Bible Studies Library (October), https://guidedbiblestudies.com/?p=1734, (accessed).
