In five chapters James confronts some of the toughest
questions that confuse Christians—then and now. Paradoxical, not easily
reconcilable, yet he seems to “get it” not grapple with it.
Godhead bodily Jewish Christianity Performing faith
Just mercy Joyful trials
What strikes me as I read the words he penned is that he is
not struggling with understanding. Not a “how can this be?” line of thinking,
but a “this is how it is” attitude.
And I have come to this conclusion: he gets it because he knew
Jesus. He was the second born of Mary’s children. He lived in Joseph’s house.
He bunked with Jesus as a boy and continued to tag along after him into early
adulthood. He tried to make Jesus behave and bore the frustration of all who
have tried and failed to do so. Then he was visited by the resurrected Messiah
and put two and two together and saw the trinity--the fullness of the godhead
bodily.
James wasn’t a disciple of the great Rabbi. He was kin to
him all along--following in His footsteps since birth and now a witness of the
resurrected One. He had been listening to what his brother had to say from the
cradle. Now that the spiritual eyes were open to the truths embodied in the
Word made flesh and dwelling among us, James did not need to grapple. He was
compelled to lead others to understanding. He no longer invoked nepotism, but declared
himself “a slave to God and the Lord Yeshua the Messiah.”
His words are humbly powerful, knowledgeable, and
challenging. Worth anyone’s while to read.
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