by Dorothy Nimchuk

Who would have known Jesus better than one who grew up in the same house, looked up to Him as big brother, slept under the same roof, learned the same rules, played on the same streets, ate at the same table along with Him and their siblings: Joses, Simon, Judas, and their sisters (Mark 6:3). The “perfect” brother, Jesus, was never in trouble — well, except for that time when He hung around with doctors and lawyers in the temple instead of heading home with all the folks from Nazareth (Luke 2:41-52).

When He was older, big brother Jesus became like a stranger to James and his siblings: running with a group of ragtag followers; performing miracles; speaking in the synagogue; and for thousands in open spaces, feeding them both physically and spiritually. The brothers may have hung on the edges of the crowds, curious, yet hoping to be unrecognized.

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I can imagine what Jesus’ brothers might have been thinking: We pretended not to hear the whispers in the community about our parents and their seeming indiscretion prior to marriage (Matthew 1:25; John 8:37-47). Once we boys and Mother tried to reach Him through a crowd to urge Him to come home, but He ignored us (Matthew 12:46-50). It was so embarrassing.

This went on for over three years. Then big brother was arrested! What has He done now? Oh the shame! But the combination of false accusations, crucifixion, and resurrection all served to change James’ thinking. When James watched Jesus die, perhaps he overheard the words of the Roman centurion: “Truly this Man was the Son of God!” (Mark 15:39). Big brother really was who He had claimed to be.

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James has been credited as being the most likely author of the book of James, addressed to the scattered tribes of Israel. In his short but hard-hitting letter, James reiterates much of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount: God gives wisdom to those who ask and salvation to those who seek. The poor are promised the kingdom and the humble are blessed with grace. James advocates good works as going hand in hand with faith. The tongue, he claims, is a powerful tool for either good or evil — uncontrollable. “For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect [margin: mature] man, able also to bridle the whole body” (3:2).  

James urges us to “Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom” (2:12, NIV). Freedom, the law of liberty! Under the new covenant, we are freed from the powerful hold that sin formerly held over us (Romans 6:14; cf. vv. 1-7). Should we take our eyes off Jesus, we become susceptible to the world’s allure.

James warns against giving preference to the rich while ignoring the poor. We do well to pay attention, “For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment” (James 2:13). In failing to show mercy to others, we can expect to be dealt with in similar fashion. Living by the law of liberty, we put off the works of the flesh, walking in the Spirit instead. In thankfulness for what great mercy God has bestowed upon us, we in turn must show mercy to others or face the consequences and one day be answerable to God.

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Through all his admonition, James encourages the practice of Christian living, simply doing the right thing every day. In his earlier years, James had been unaware of how privileged he had been growing up in the same household, breaking bread with the young Messiah-in-waiting. Jesus may well have had those early years in mind when showing Himself to James as one of the privileged few to see Him following His resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:4-8).

Now fervent in his devotion to the gospel, James knew Jesus in a new and living way — as the Son of God who imaged the Father in every respect. His younger brothers, also turned believers, served as missionaries sowing the precious seed of the Word.

You, too, can know Jesus, walk in His footprints, share in His sufferings, and rejoice in His salvation, having “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27). Rest assured that, in so doing, you will have a place at Jesus’ table, breaking bread.