James the Less
James the son of Alphaeus
Greetings in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. As we find ourselves here in the midst of summer we see new growth around us. The corn is head high and the cotton is looking good. We have much to be thankful for. Beyond the visible growth of the fruit of the ground, God is also responsible for growth of another kind. He is Lord of His Church. New life finds its source in Him. Growth, which we call Christian maturity, also finds it source in Him. As we look to see God’s work in our midst, we do not have to look far. The Word of God is bearing fruit in abundance. The growth in Christian maturity is leading us into new areas. Our Bible classes are going very well. We have visitors coming to the church, and longtime members are finding a new excitement in what God is doing. As growth takes place and new people and ideas find a place in our midst, there is the danger that one may feel left out or not needed anymore. When old things seem to be changing, some people find it difficult to change with them. But don’t be discouraged! There is a place and a purpose for each and every one of us in God’s plan for His Church here in this place.
As we continue our study of the twelve Apostles of our Lord, we are looking into the lives of men who saw great changes in a short amount of time. They went from the regular occupations to proclaiming a crucified and resurrected Savior in only three years. That’s Change! Most of the Apostles are featured very prominently in Scripture. One is not. There is one Apostle which we know very little about. It is James the son of Alphaeus, more commonly known as James the Less. The Scripture references various actions of most of the Apostles, but this man has only his name recorded. No acts, no deeds, no sermons or great evangelism outreaches. I dare say, James is like most of us. An individual chosen by Christ to be part of the Church. Saved by faith in the blood Jesus shed on Calvary’s cross, he faithfully served the Lord expecting and receiving little earthly recognition. Yet, there is no doubt that God was aware of all James did and though little recognition came from men, great recognition and reward has been given him by God.
Lest we confuse this man with others named James, we should seek to identify who he is. He is not the James who is listed as the son of Zebedee and brother of the Apostle John. This was the James who was beheaded by Herod, the first Apostle martyred. James the Less is not to be confused with James the son of Joseph and Mary, the half-brother of Jesus. This James went on to become the head of the church at Jerusalem after the Resurrection. He is not the James who is listed as the father of the Apostle Judas also known as Thaddaeus. Traditions holds that this James known as the son of Alphaeus was the brother of Matthew and like his brother was a tax collector. There is also the possibility that his mother and the virgin Mary were sisters. Beyond this, little is known of his background.
Jesus spent an entire night in prayer. Praying to His Father and seeking His Father’s guidance. After the night was over, Jesus chose twelve men to be His Apostles. From all who were present, only twelve were chosen. James the Less was one of the twelve. He, with the others was sent out to proclaim the kingdom of God, to heal the sick, and to cast out demons. This he did in the name of Jesus of Nazareth. He heard the parables and saw the miracles. He was in the upper room and heard Jesus speak those words we hold so dear, “Take eat this is My body . . . Take drink this is My blood.” While the tomb was sealed James, like the others was in hiding. He also disbelieved the women who returned from the tomb on the first Easter morning. But, like the rest, he stood in amazement when Jesus appeared in their midst and said, “Peace be with you . . . As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” With this commission James went. In the power and assurance of Jesus he went into the world to be a witness of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world. History has not recorded any of his words or deeds. Tradition does not give any sure answers other than, like most of the Apostles, James was martyred for the cause of Christ.
What is there we can learn from this Apostle, James the Less? First, many of us like James will never have our words or deeds recorded. We will live our lives here on this earth and pass into obscurity. This is not to be regretted but rather accepted as the truth of most people’s lives. Faithful, patient, humble service to God may go unrecorded and unnoticed by men, but the faithfulness of brave and loyal hearts is not forgotten by Him whose eye is on the sparrow. God sees and God records every word and action done in the name of Christ and rich is the honor and reward He will give to His servants.
When we think of such service which most Christians render unto the Lord, it is not standing in the pulpit or serving on church councils which make the deed important. Rather we should think on those who have dedicated themselves to the Lord in His service. We should think of missionaries who are far from home and family because of their service to the Lord. Sunday school teachers, those who visit the sick in hospitals and nursing homes, those who help the needy. These are the deeds which all too often go unnoticed by the world but are most surely noticed by God.
There is a story told concerning a great artist who painted a picture of the Lord’s Supper. He sought to make the painting appear as the upper room would have, as best he could. When the masterpiece was completed he allowed some friends to view the painting. One of the people commented, “How beautifully those cups upon the table are painted!” To his amazement the artist immediately took a brush and painted the cups out of the picture, saying, “I want men to look at the Christ!” In all his selfless service James the Less must have wanted men to look and see the Christ. In all he did he never drew attention to himself but pointed to the One man need to see, Jesus Christ the Savior from sin. May we like James seek to become invisible in our service so that others may see through us to Jesus, for He is the only one who men must see to be saved. May it be so for us in our service to our Lord and King. Amen.
Blessings in Christ,
Pastor Russ
Greetings in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. As we find ourselves here in the midst of summer we see new growth around us. The corn is head high and the cotton is looking good. We have much to be thankful for. Beyond the visible growth of the fruit of the ground, God is also responsible for growth of another kind. He is Lord of His Church. New life finds its source in Him. Growth, which we call Christian maturity, also finds it source in Him. As we look to see God’s work in our midst, we do not have to look far. The Word of God is bearing fruit in abundance. The growth in Christian maturity is leading us into new areas. Our Bible classes are going very well. We have visitors coming to the church, and longtime members are finding a new excitement in what God is doing. As growth takes place and new people and ideas find a place in our midst, there is the danger that one may feel left out or not needed anymore. When old things seem to be changing, some people find it difficult to change with them. But don’t be discouraged! There is a place and a purpose for each and every one of us in God’s plan for His Church here in this place.
As we continue our study of the twelve Apostles of our Lord, we are looking into the lives of men who saw great changes in a short amount of time. They went from the regular occupations to proclaiming a crucified and resurrected Savior in only three years. That’s Change! Most of the Apostles are featured very prominently in Scripture. One is not. There is one Apostle which we know very little about. It is James the son of Alphaeus, more commonly known as James the Less. The Scripture references various actions of most of the Apostles, but this man has only his name recorded. No acts, no deeds, no sermons or great evangelism outreaches. I dare say, James is like most of us. An individual chosen by Christ to be part of the Church. Saved by faith in the blood Jesus shed on Calvary’s cross, he faithfully served the Lord expecting and receiving little earthly recognition. Yet, there is no doubt that God was aware of all James did and though little recognition came from men, great recognition and reward has been given him by God.
Lest we confuse this man with others named James, we should seek to identify who he is. He is not the James who is listed as the son of Zebedee and brother of the Apostle John. This was the James who was beheaded by Herod, the first Apostle martyred. James the Less is not to be confused with James the son of Joseph and Mary, the half-brother of Jesus. This James went on to become the head of the church at Jerusalem after the Resurrection. He is not the James who is listed as the father of the Apostle Judas also known as Thaddaeus. Traditions holds that this James known as the son of Alphaeus was the brother of Matthew and like his brother was a tax collector. There is also the possibility that his mother and the virgin Mary were sisters. Beyond this, little is known of his background.
Jesus spent an entire night in prayer. Praying to His Father and seeking His Father’s guidance. After the night was over, Jesus chose twelve men to be His Apostles. From all who were present, only twelve were chosen. James the Less was one of the twelve. He, with the others was sent out to proclaim the kingdom of God, to heal the sick, and to cast out demons. This he did in the name of Jesus of Nazareth. He heard the parables and saw the miracles. He was in the upper room and heard Jesus speak those words we hold so dear, “Take eat this is My body . . . Take drink this is My blood.” While the tomb was sealed James, like the others was in hiding. He also disbelieved the women who returned from the tomb on the first Easter morning. But, like the rest, he stood in amazement when Jesus appeared in their midst and said, “Peace be with you . . . As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” With this commission James went. In the power and assurance of Jesus he went into the world to be a witness of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world. History has not recorded any of his words or deeds. Tradition does not give any sure answers other than, like most of the Apostles, James was martyred for the cause of Christ.
What is there we can learn from this Apostle, James the Less? First, many of us like James will never have our words or deeds recorded. We will live our lives here on this earth and pass into obscurity. This is not to be regretted but rather accepted as the truth of most people’s lives. Faithful, patient, humble service to God may go unrecorded and unnoticed by men, but the faithfulness of brave and loyal hearts is not forgotten by Him whose eye is on the sparrow. God sees and God records every word and action done in the name of Christ and rich is the honor and reward He will give to His servants.
When we think of such service which most Christians render unto the Lord, it is not standing in the pulpit or serving on church councils which make the deed important. Rather we should think on those who have dedicated themselves to the Lord in His service. We should think of missionaries who are far from home and family because of their service to the Lord. Sunday school teachers, those who visit the sick in hospitals and nursing homes, those who help the needy. These are the deeds which all too often go unnoticed by the world but are most surely noticed by God.
There is a story told concerning a great artist who painted a picture of the Lord’s Supper. He sought to make the painting appear as the upper room would have, as best he could. When the masterpiece was completed he allowed some friends to view the painting. One of the people commented, “How beautifully those cups upon the table are painted!” To his amazement the artist immediately took a brush and painted the cups out of the picture, saying, “I want men to look at the Christ!” In all his selfless service James the Less must have wanted men to look and see the Christ. In all he did he never drew attention to himself but pointed to the One man need to see, Jesus Christ the Savior from sin. May we like James seek to become invisible in our service so that others may see through us to Jesus, for He is the only one who men must see to be saved. May it be so for us in our service to our Lord and King. Amen.
Blessings in Christ,
Pastor Russ
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