St. James the Elder, Apostle
Acts 12:1-5; Mark 10:35-45
July 25, 2021
Zion Lutheran Church + Nampa, ID
Today the Church celebrates the Festival of St. James the Elder, who was one of the 12 disciples. This James, is called the “elder” to distinguish him from one of the other of the 12, James the “lesser” or “the younger”, who was the son of Alphaeus and Mary Clopas.
The Gospels tell us that among the first disciples Christ called to Himself were the two sons of Zebedee and Salome: James and John. James was present at some of the most significant events in Jesus’ ministry. He was one of the favored three blessed to witness the raising of Jairus’ daughter, the Transfiguration of Jesus, and the Lord’s agony in the Garden. Yet, through it all, he is strangely silent in the Scripture.
The Gospel do recount however, this passage that we hear today from Mark 10. Either directly or through their mother, James and John ask the Lord a favor, the favor of sitting at Jesus’ right and left hand when He enters into His glory. This causes the other disciples to be offended at the brother gumption. In reacting this way, the other ten were just as conceited. They were jealous in their demand for equality, their fear of being under anyone else, or never wanting anyone to rise above them. They were all thinking in a worldly way. Jesus bluntly answers, “You don’t know what you are asking” (Mark 10:38).
This is a hard lesson for us. We often think in worldly terms rather than according the kingdom of God. The church often tries to employ worldly methods to spiritual matters, in business and finance and conflict and counseling, and in doing so, miss the entire heart of the gospel: the forgiveness of sins and God’s declaration of sinners justified for the sake of Christ alone.
How else do you think worldly when it comes to Jesus’ kingdom? Some desire prestige even in the church, climbing the perceived ladder in church politics, desiring everyone’s recognition for a donation given or services rendered. Others assume that if you check off all the right doctrinal questions and answers, or pass the dreaded confirmation examination, that is enough. Some feel that as long as you live a good life and never overtly and publicly break the 10 Commandments that Jesus somehow owes you? Trying to live your best life now, to gain as much worldly comfort as possible as if the life to come is just an afterthought? Or even the reverse, that if you suffer enough now, then you deserve more later.
But the Lord’s glory is unexpected. It comes only through the cross. Jesus asks the presumptuous brothers, “Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” (Mark 10:38b). In prideful self-confidence, they both affirm they are able. Little did they know what they were agreeing to, yet Jesus knew. It was as if He looked through the years and saw. He told them, “The cup that I drink you will drink and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized, but to sit at My right hand or at My left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.”
James indeed would get his chance to drink of the cup of suffering with Jesus. He was to have his glory. He was to be at the top, at the front of the line, the very first of the twelve, in fact, to die as a martyr in the service of the Lord Jesus. In fact, James is the only of the 12 apostles whose death is described in Scripture. We heard it already today, in Acts 12. Almost 10 years after Jesus’ resurrection, even around Passover when Jesus Himself was crucified, King Herod Agrippa I had James beheaded for the crime of witnessing about Jesus, of His resurrection, and the free gift of eternal life through faith in Him.
What a change in priority! No more was James selfishly seeking the praise of men, rather in praising His Lord, he was willing to be arrested and put to death. Truly, he did drink the Lord’s cup and was baptized with the Lord’s baptism. By God’s grace, he was able.
James received glory in giving all glory to the Lord Jesus Christ. For Jesus shed His blood and laid down His life for James, and James offered His own life up in return as a thank offering to God, a thanksgiving for his life that will have no end.
Now, it’s unlikely that any one of us will be threatened with the sword for the sake of our Christian faith. But nevertheless, dear brothers and sisters in Christ, our lives are not our own. We are slaves of Him who ransomed us and saved us. We can offer ourselves as living sacrifices in His service, having been redeemed and saved by the His boundless grace and mercy!
For we also have been baptized with the Lord’s baptism. And in that Holy Baptism we have been buried with Him. And we too shall rise with Him in glory. And we share in the Lord’s cup. And in that Lord’s cup, that Holy Communion, which we are blessed to receive every Sunday, we receive forgiveness of sins, divine medicine to heal the wounds of the soul, strength to face a hostile culture and even the devil and his accusations, and we too proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.
In His coming, Christ serves us again and again. For this is the way of the Kingdom of God. Jesus proclaims to His disciples, “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” He served us with His death, handing over His life for us, ransoming us out of Hell. By Jesus’ resurrection, Christ has passed through death and draws us safely to Himself. Forgiven, restored, freed. Service rendered, ransom paid. He became a slave of all that you would be first and take a place in the heavenly kingdom. Upon His return, Jesus’ service will not be one of humility, but of power and glory and honor. Come quickly, Lord Jesus. Amen.