My Name Is James...
From the Shores of Galilee to the Crown of Glory
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
As I take pen in hand to write this letter, my heart is filled with a mixture of joy and solemnity as I reflect upon the path that the Lord charted for me—a path that led from the tranquil shores of Galilee to the ultimate sacrifice in Jerusalem. I am James, son of Zebedee and Salome, brother to John, whom Jesus called to leave our nets and follow Him.
Our family, blessed with some measure of wealth, was poised to offer John and me a comfortable life in the fishing trade. Yet, the day Jesus called us, everything changed. “Immediately he called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants, and followed him.” (Mark 1:20, ESV) This call marked the beginning of an extraordinary journey of discipleship, miracles, and transformation.
Jesus named John and me the "Sons of Thunder"—a title reflective of our fervent spirit and, perhaps, our initial impetuous nature. This zeal for the Lord and His kingdom became the driving force of my ministry, even though it needed refinement through Jesus' teaching and example.
Walking closely with Jesus, I was privileged to witness firsthand His miraculous power, His profound teaching, and, above all, His boundless love for humanity. I was there on the Mount of Transfiguration, where Jesus' divine glory was unveiled before our eyes, a moment that forever etched in my heart the truth of His messiahship and deity. “And his clothes became radiant, intensely white, as no one on earth could bleach them.” (Mark 9:3, ESV)
Yet, this journey was not without its trials and moments of profound learning. I, who once sought a place of honor in Jesus' kingdom, came to understand the true nature of greatness in His eyes. Jesus taught us that to be great is to serve, to give one's life for others—a lesson that would define my own destiny. “Whoever would be great among you must be your servant.” (Mark 10:43, ESV)
My journey with Jesus culminated in a deep, unshakeable faith in Him as the Christ, the Son of the Living God, and in His resurrection, which heralded the hope of our own resurrection and eternal life. After His ascension and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, I, along with the other apostles, was emboldened to proclaim the Gospel, despite opposition and persecution.
The culmination of my earthly ministry came under the rule of Herod Agrippa, who, in his attempt to suppress the burgeoning Christian movement, had me executed by the sword. This distinction, as the first of the apostles to be martyred for the faith, and the only one whose martyrdom is recorded in the New Testament, is both a sobering and exalting honor. “About that time Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church. He killed James the brother of John with the sword.” (Acts 12:1-2, ESV)
Though my time on earth was brought to an abrupt end, my journey did not conclude with my martyrdom. Rather, it marked the beginning of my eternal fellowship with Christ in the Kingdom of Heaven—a promise that holds true for all who believe and follow Him.
To you who carry on the mission of the Gospel in this present age, let my story be a reminder of the cost of discipleship and the incomparable glory that awaits those who persevere to the end. May you be inspired to live with boldness and conviction, serving the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.
In closing, I encourage you to hold fast to your faith, to love one another deeply, and to keep your eyes fixed on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. The path of discipleship may lead through trials and tribulations, but it also leads to eternal life and joy in the presence of our Lord.
With the love of Christ,
James, Son of Zebedee, Apostle and Martyr