The Call of the Apostles - James, the son of Zebedee

 

While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he [Jesus] saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Immediately they left their nets and followed him. And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him. (Matthew 4:18–22 ESV).

 

Today we come to another of the twelve apostles called by Jesus, James, son of Zebedee. James died early, in 44 AD, and was also known as James the Greater as he was older than the other James who was also a follower of Jesus. He was a Galilean fisherman who, alongside his brother John (who we will look at tomorrow), left his nets to become one of Jesus' first and closest disciples. In fact, as we shall see, he was one of the “inner circle” who often was a part of those experiences with Jesus like the transfiguration and the prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane. He was also the first apostle to be martyred, his life, character, and legacy are central to early Christian history.

 

He was from the family of Zebedee and Salome; and, of course, the older brother of John the Apostle. While their trade was made as fishermen on the Sea of Galilee, he immediately became a follower of Jesus once called. He and his brother were called “sons of thunder” undoubtedly to their fiery temperament (cf. Mark 3:17). He was executed by beheading under King Herod Agrippa I in Jerusalem around 44 AD (cf. Acts 12:1-2).

 

James was uniquely selected to witness several of the most pivotal and intimate moments of Jesus' earthly ministry. However, because of his early death, much of what we know about him comes from the Spanish Church Traditions. According to strong historical tradition, James had traveled to preach the Gospel in Spain before his death. Following his martyrdom, his disciples are said to have miraculously transported his body to Galicia in northwestern Spain. His rediscovered tomb sparked the creation of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, which remains the destination for the world-famous Camino de Santiago (the Way of St. James) pilgrimage route.

 

There are three things we should learn from the life of James. First, often radical obedience replaces comfort. James was a successful fisherman working in a prosperous family business with his father, Zebedee. When Jesus called him, James immediately left his nets, his career, and his family to follow an unknown future (Matthew 4:21–22). True discipleship requires immediate responsiveness and a willingness to step away from worldly security when God calls. Second, misguided zeal must be tempered by grace. I often tell folks that their “truth-telling” must be balanced with “grace-giving.” Passion for God is a virtue, but it must be balanced with grace, mercy, and wisdom rather than descending into judgment and anger. And, third, true greatness is found in servant leadership. Both James and John learned this lesson when they let ambition get the better of them as they (alongside their mother) asked Jesus for the ultimate positions of power, to sit on His right and left hand in the coming kingdom (cf. Matthew 20:20–28). Jesus used this moment to turn their definition of success upside down, stating that "whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant".

 

These lessons ought to be incorporated into our lives each day as we grow in Christ!