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“JAMES, THE LESS: A MAN OF HERITAGE” Mark 15:40 Mark 16:1 Matthew 27:56 Luke 24:18
Down through human history a primary factor of society has been the family. Covering the entire gamut of life; from the recording of a family’s genealogy to the highlight of the Cartwrights or Ewings, (in our entertainment world) much emphasis has been given to a person’s family. When people come to the Bible, God’s Holy Word, they find family importance is also stressed. From families like the one Abraham had in the Old Testament, to families like the one Martha, Mary and Lazarus had in the New Testament, individuals have been defined by their family heritage. Simply put, to know someone begins by knowing their family of origin.
Today we find much of American culture tarnished by dysfunctional family identity and behavior. Sociologists are categorizing the 21st Century as the demise of the family: in both existence and values. The priority of individualism, coupled with the epidemic abuse of all kinds within family relationships, has made family reality a rapidly diminishing feature in Western civilization. Yet, in the sight of God, family heritage is important. We will see this, in particular, as we uncover the biographical data of the least known of Jesus’ disciples: James, the Less. Join me as we take time to notice two features about this Apostle.
We will look at some scriptures in a completely different way than we have with the other disciples. James, the Less is only mentioned in a listing of the disciples. (Matthew 10:3, Mark 3:18, Luke 6:15) There is no other mention of him in the Bible. Still, there is mention of both his father and his mother. Therefore, the verses we will look at, in the main part of the sermon, will be references to his parents, rather than James himself. While this may appear confusing now, I believe it will become clear as I progress. Before I dive into our scripture verses; it is necessary for me to explain the way in which James has been mentioned historically within Christian circles and to clear up any confusion concerning the three different men mentioned in the New Testament Church named James.
The first observation I make is that down through the centuries of Church history this disciple has been referred to as either “James, the Less” in the King James Version or “James, the Younger” in the newer versions. In both instances the purpose behind such an identification was to distinguish between “James, the son of Zebedee” and this man, “James, the son of Alphaeus”. There were so few names back during Bible times that many folk had the same name and were known by who their father was. (I guess we’re back at family heritage again aren’t we?) The nicknames “Less” and “Younger” did not indicate inferiority or unimportance but reputation or chronological age.
The second observation we must make is to clear up any confusion concerning the different men named James in the first century church. The first man named James was the son of Zebedee: the brother of the apostle John. He was the first of the twelve to be martyred because of his faith in the Lord. We find the account of this in Acts 12:1-2. This James had a very short-term ministry.
The second man named James was a son of Mary and Joseph. He was the half-brother of Jesus. He never is called to be an apostle but clearly he had leadership in the Jewish church in Jerusalem. He was a spokesman for part of the Council in Jerusalem when they met in Acts 15 to determine whether or not Gentiles could be members of the church. This James (of Mary and Joseph lineage) also is the author of the book of the Bible called the book of James.
The Apostle we are studying about today is neither of these first two men named James. He was not a fisherman nor was he the author of a New Testament book. With these matters briefly covered, let me give you the two points of significance we need to see concerning “James, the Less”.
1. JAMES, THE LESS HAD A RICH HERITAGE IN HIS PARENTS: MARY AND CLEOPAS.
In Mark 15:40 we find three ladies present at the crucifixion of Jesus. They were Mary of the town of Magdala, Salome and “Mary, the mother of James the younger and Joses (Joseph)”. We read in Mark 16:1 that following the Sabbath following “Good Friday” these same three ladies are at the tomb of the Lord. Again, they are identified as “Mary Magdalene, MARY THE MOTHER OF JAMES and Salome.” They brought the spices required by Jewish law to anoint the body of one who is dead. In Matthew’s account (Matthew 27:55-56) we read much the same thing: “Many women were there, watching from a distance. They followed Jesus from Galilee to care for his needs. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee’s sons.” Putting the different verses together brings us to the conclusion that the mother of Zebedee’s sons was the Salome mentioned in the verses.
These verses inform us that James’ mother was named Mary and was a committed follower of the Messiah. She undoubtedly knew Jesus’ mother and was a sensitive friend of the Lord’s mother during the events of his death. Her commitment and closeness to the Lord is demonstrated by her being one of the small group of women actually attending to the funeral process relating to the Lord’s body. She has become convinced Jesus is the Messiah. This is part of James heritage.
This brings us to Alphaeus. In each of the listings of the disciples James is noted as the son of Alphaeus. But then in John 19:25 James’ mother Mary is identified as “The wife of Clopas” Interestingly, as we move to the Gospel of Luke, chapter 24:18, we read, “One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, ‘Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem and do not know the things that have happened there in these days’?” Unger’s Bible Dictionary tells us “The Hebrew or Syriac name of Alphaeus is Cleophas of Clopas in the Greek language.” [1] James’ father was one of the two men who traveled on the road to the town of Emmaus following the crucifixion and death of Jesus. There is no mistake about who this man was: the father of an apostle. He was one of the men Jesus personally appeared to. Obviously this father of one of the disciples was, himself, a follower of the Messiah. These two companions on the road are locked in a deep rehearsal of the events of the Lord’s death when this stranger appears before them. Later when the awareness of the resurrected Lord becomes reality in Alphaeus’ (Cleophas’) mind, he and his companion immediately go to inform the group in the Upper Room what had occurred. We know more about James because of his parents. He had a rich heritage of belief from mom and dad.
2. JAMES THE LESS GREW INTO ALSO HAVING A COMMITMENT TO THE LORD.
Though the Bible does not portray the ministry of James, the Less in any verses, the historians of the church have given us information so we know who this man was. He watched his parents put their hope and confidence in Jesus as the Messiah. But his faith was not simply inherited because he was in the right family. His heritage put him in the position of being exposed to Jesus as the Messiah. He followed through on his heritage and made its reality part of his own trust in the Lord. We are told two specific facts as a matter of church tradition. The first comes from the pen of Josephus, the Jewish historian who states that James the Less was very like Jesus in appearance. Josephus mentions particularily that the reason Judas Iscariot greeted Jesus with a betrayal kiss was so the crowd, especially in the dark of the night at Gethsemane would be able to know who was Jesus rather than James the less. Many preachers down through the years of proclaiming biblical truth have used this historical fact to challenge Christians to be so in tune with the Lord as to even take on His appearance. You get the drift, don’t you? Oh that we should live our lives so that we would be taken as the essence of the Lord in others’ view.
Secondly, we are told that James went to Persia and it was there that he was put to death for his faith in the Lord. Suffice it to say, no one throughout the course of Church History doubts a lack of commitment on the part of James the Less. It seems that the solid commitment and faith of his parents was passed on to him. He grew in applying the Lord’s teaching to his own life as his parents had in theirs. He changed and wasn’t content at being just a believer. He developed a 100% fidelity toward his Lord.
How are we doing in this regard? Have some of us only accepted Jesus as savior? Have we forsaken any further growth in a life of faith? Are some, present here today, only content to rely on the faith of family members rather than committing our entire lives to the living Lord? Or do we have the courage to make Jesus the central figure in our lives? Do others recognize a bold faith in the Lord as our personal identity? If not, why not? James, the Less had a rich heritage. Regardless of what our family legacy has been, will we step out and make personal, growing vibrant faith the goal of our life? That is the prayer I offer the Lord for each of us here today!
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