Scripture Reading: Mark 6:1-3, John 7:1-9, 1 Corinthians 15:3-7, Acts 15:1-21, Galatians 1:18-20, James 1:1, James 1:16-18
Growing up, my family teased my brother about how he should run for president. He had the brains and the vision, and we even created a fun Facebook page with a 2028 campaign that gained a decent following of friends. He used to laugh it off and roll his eyes every time a ghost writer posted an update, while never actually denying the fact that he would make a good candidate. I’m still holding out that our playful digital campaign efforts will sweep the House in 2028. Can you imagine if one day your brother became president?
Even more so, can you imagine if your brother claimed to be the Messiah? I mean, I love my brother more than anything, but that’s on a whole other level. A bold move like that would no doubt give me serious cause for concern. Even if I were familiar with Old Testament prophecies and could vouch for the integrity of my sibling, I would have all sorts of questions, namely: Of all the people out there, how could the Messiah be my brother?
I imagine that James, the brother of Jesus, wrestled with a question like this. We aren’t given a substantive origin story for James all in one place, so we have to weave together a few distinct verses to gain a glimpse of the life of this man. We’re told that Jesus had four brothers: James, Joses, Judas, and Simon, and at least two sisters (Mark 6:2–3). We know that, after watching his brother attract a following in the synagogues while simultaneously offending the Nazarene crowds, Jesus’s family declared Him to be “out of his mind” and tried to restrain Him (Mark 3:20–21). We know that James and his brothers mocked Jesus and didn’t believe in Him during His earthly ministry (John 7:1–5).
But then something happened. After His resurrection, Jesus appeared to James (1Corinthians 15:6–7). While Scripture doesn’t give us specific details about this story, it’s evident that at some point after the resurrection, James became a convert and disciple of Jesus. I would imagine that after experiencing the trauma of having a brother crucified and buried, you’d start to listen to what He has to say after His lungs are filled with life again.
James became a leader of the church in Jerusalem (Acts 15:13–29; Galatians 1:18–19). He wrote the book of James—and in it, he says, “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger” (James 1:19). More than any other New Testament book, the teachings that fill these pages mirror the teachings of Jesus and His signature Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7). And it makes sense that Jesus would have influenced James’s communication and storytelling techniques. They were brothers, after all.
Before Jesus’s death, James didn’t understand Jesus and His ministry. But after bearing witness to His sacrificial death and resurrection, he was changed forever.
Written by Bailey Gillespie
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44 thoughts on "James"
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I find it wonderfully encouraging that while James did not believe initially, God did not let him go!! Praise God; thank you that you are in the business of pursuing people, showing that it is through GRACE that we have been saved!
Amen
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I had no idea that this James in the Bible was Jesus’ brother! I grew up reading it regularly- clearly I still have a lot to learn!
@Nina Jess Connelly has a whole series (Bible Babes) about James- it is so good!!!
It’s odd to me that his family declared him crazy. His parents knew he was the messiah even before he was born. Did they never mention anything about this to the siblings? Did they not back him up on it once he started declaring it or did the siblings think their parents were also crazy?
Commenting a little later this morning. FIRST day of school today and on my first break(I start at 6:50am) LOVE the book of James! AND right now I really need to practice “quick to listen,” “slow to speak,” and “slow to anger” but in my case “slow to getting frustrated” AND not with the TK students. Sometime adults are the ones to disappoint. Yep, being transparent! Yikes! Our new TK students are SO cute, lots of and lots of tears this morning. BUT loving it already! Happy FIRST day of school!
BAILEY said, “Before Jesus’s death, James didn’t understand Jesus and His ministry. But after bearing witness to His sacrificial death and resurrection, he was changed forever.” TRANSFORMED.
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Sometimes it takes a major event to open our eyes. James’ eyes were opened when he saw the resurrected Jesus- the brother he had rejected. I would love to have James’ personal testimony on paper! The fact that he did not include it makes me believe that it was well known among all the Jews to whom he was writing in the book of James.
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I took time to read the book of James- don’t think I’ve ever read it that way before. Anyway, I realized how many verses from that little book are so often quoted as guidance for living the Christian life- wisdom, faith and love in action, etc. James didn’t just come to believe but his life was transformed to that of one who acted out his belief/his faith.
We aren’t just to BELIEVE in Jesus; we are to LIVE FOR HIM.
If you have time – less than 30 minutes- read through this gem of the Bible. ❤ I read it on my Kindle, but I want to go back and use my real Bible to make sure all the things that stand out are highlighted.
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ASHLEY M- Love this:
“James’ story reminds us that God can transform skepticism into conviction and conviction into action.”
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Love, hugs, and prayers! ❤
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SEARCHING- agreeing in prayers you listed and for your requests! Great nod to the OT today! ❤❤❤
This summer I have been blessed to be home more with my girls but the bickering has been getting to me and I have not been slow to anger. Have been praying and asking for strength to not yell and try to use that moment as a teaching moment. Lord please be with me.
Brenda P, I Corinthians 8 the apostle Paul tackles the issue of meat sacrificed to idols.
Blood in Jewish culture was forbidden for consumption. Beginning with Noah after they left the ark, God told Noah the life was in the blood. I believe this was a foreshadowing of the sancity of the blood of Christ. There are also blood born pathogens. Heathen and pagan priests drank blood.
There were some God fearing Gentiles. Many of the Gentiles surrounding Jews practiced things that were unspeakable wicked. The Romans enjoyed sexual perversity with young boys and lived in debauchery.
Many things prohibited to the Jews were to set them apart from the Gentile nations surrounding them. What Jews ate, wore, and practiced was to set them apart from the nations, the goyim, the Gentiles. The Jews were chosen to be lights in the world to lead the nations to God. That did not work out until Jesus came to to make all things new
We all have seasons where our faith feels more like theory than reality—where belief doesn’t yet move our hands and feet. James’ story reminds us that God can transform skepticism into conviction and conviction into action. Our walk with Christ is not just about what we believe—it’s about how that belief changes the way we live, serve, speak, and love others.
What a blessing to be in that time to witness the story of Jesus unfold. What a blessing to us to have the Word to show us the past and our future. Good message that by faith we are his children.
Imagine finding out, your brother is the Messiah! No wonder James didn’t readily and immediately accept it. But – through God’s grace, mercy and providence, he did!
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Not only was he humble, in that we don’t read anywhere of him in scripture boasting -“hey, see that guy over there, he’s my bother – and He is the Messiah! And also as was mentioned by @Searching, we don’t read of any jealousy. Once his eyes were opened, by the Holy Spirit, he accepted the truth of who Jesus was.
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What a transformation! Not only did James believe, he became a spokesman for Christ and His ministry!
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Praise God for changed lives! All of us here were once lost, but praise God – He found us!! He saved us, He changed us!
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Happy Tuesday sweet She’s! Praying for your requests! ❤️
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James’s story shows me how God is patient. He waited kindly for James to believe. And God waited with peace. God did not give up on James. Keep praying for loved ones who need the transforming power of Christ.
I never realized that James was Jesus’ brother! His not mentioning it shows great humility!
Praying for all!
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Brenda P, I can’t do reply. However the Gentiles especially the Romans were living some very twisted pig eating, orgy, perverted lives. Not all Gentiles because there were the God fearing Gentiles.
The Jews were circumcised as a mark they were set apart to God. What they ate, what they wore marked them as a distinct people! Chosen people,”am segullah” a treasured nation” God’s plan was that the Jews would influence and be a light to the nations. This did not work but when Jesus came , He made all things new!
Romans indulged in Homosexual behavior with men and boys.
God commanded the Jews not to eat blood because the life is in the blood, a foreshadowing of the blood of Jesus .
Gentiles nations were known for incest, rape, and a lot of sexual perversion.
TANYA, I love that song!❤️
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BRENDA, Ichuckled that all the brothers names began with a J, except Simon..:)❤️
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LISA R, ❤️
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LATONYA, so true..
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SEARCHING, Unbelief is real, it’s how we turn it into the truth, ie our eyes are opened to the true facts..❤️
Anen
I remember my grandchildren finding out my real name.. as in Tina is my chosen name but, ready…
Christiana Esi Prabah Kuntu-Blankson is the name on my birth certificate!
A mouthful, right?
A letter arrived with said name on.. they brought it to me asking who the letter was for.. I said me and they called me a liar. I was nanny and my name was Tina!
No amount of explaining was good enough!
I know this is so the opposite, but, the not understanding the truth of the matter, is similar.
Jesus came as the Messiah!
His parents were told by the angel Gabriel of His coming, the family knew this.., Mary’s Magnificent is a song of acceptance of this, I guess, as the years went by and the dream for all who were expecting the Messiah was not happening, the information was pushed to the back burner.. almost forgotten, even when the miracles were being performed, water being turned into wine, demons being expelled..
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BUT GOD..
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Though there was/is unbelief for a while, to the point of mocking, the truth never changed, Jesus was still the Messiah! We can mock, we can tease, we can choose to not believe..
The truth is My name IS Christiana Esi Prabah Kuntu-Blankson, but most importantly, and the trith of all that matters isJESUS IS AND WILL ALWAYS BE THE MESSIAH.
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FULL STOP.
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AND AMEN..
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Happy Tuesday my dears, covered in much love and prayers.. ❤️
Open The Eyes Of My Heart”
Open the eyes of my heart, Lord
Open the eyes of my heart
I want to see You
I want to see You
Open the eyes of my heart, Lord
Open the eyes of my heart
I want to see You
I want to see You
To see You high and lifted up
Shinin’ in the light of Your glory
Pour out Your power and love
As we sing holy, holy, holy
The Holy Spirit had to open the eyes of James’s heart to see who Jesus really was.
Random thought: Jesus had kin folks is something I am mediating on this morning. His mom knew Jesus was ” different”. I wonder did the brothers wrestle and roughhouse. Did they splash in the lake or go fishing ? Boy stuff. Did the sisters prepare him meals for lunch after a hard day of working as a carpenter.? Was his first 30 years with Joseph and Mary and his sisters and brothers just so ordinary. I wonder did Jesus and all the brothers delay when it time to go to religious school to learn Hebrew and Torah and Mary had to hurry them along. I using my sacred imagination of seeing Jesus at family gatherings with his mom and siblings.Did the brothers struggle for the last piece of challah at the Shabbat table or Mary cut it out in equal portions?
Was James disturbed by the rumors of his older brother after Jesus had set out on his adult ministry?
Praise God that James had G-d as his older brother and what a great life changing influence that was.
I had no idea James was related to Jesus, that is so cool. My mother, father, and brother are unbelievers; this restores my hope for them. Also I didn’t realize there were different behavioral expectations of the Gentiles; I understand why circumcision was not required and the actual requirements, but why communicate those specific requirements to them at all? Why not eat food sacrificed to idols, blood, and specifically fornication? Were there very common in Gentile culture?
From doubter to devoted follower of Jesus. Just like me! I have 3 brothers and am sitting here trying to picture them doing signs and wonders and how I would feel. Like Bailey writes, I may be skeptical as well. It shows me how our heart posture can keep us from the truth. Maybe James was just “too close” to Jesus, it made it harder for him to see clearly because he was working with preconceived notions of who his brother was. Have a blessed day ladies!
Searching – great connection with Joseph and David and thanks for the prayers:)
Love this perspective!!
I have a study book on James by Life change, but haven’t gotten to it yet! But I like the style that James, the brother of Jesus writes with. For years I thought it was James, brother of John.
I can imagine how crazy you would think your sibling was if they claimed to be the Messiah!! Or any relative or friend for that matter. It seems to be hardest to proclaim Jesus to our family members if they are not believers. I like a willing and eager audience open to the gospel. lol. It is hard to proclaim to people with scales on their eyes, and ears closed. But it is something magical we get to participate in because WE must tell the gospel, and God opens their hearts at just that moment! We water or plant, he does the growth! God doesn’t need us, yet uses us! He used all the disciples and apostles and other believers to spread…..and continued until this day!! How is that not miraculous, the power of God! I love how God is using me to TELL of Jesus! It is faith in action, trusting and obeying, doing well with little, and zealous for his transformation power!! He wants to use all of us! How could we hold on to something so powerful and great….and not share??!
Do we know if His other siblings came to believe in Jesus as the Messiah?
LaRae – some scholars believe the write of the book of Jude was another brother of Jesus
Amen ❤️
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This day’s reading and devotion has been so powerful for me. James had to reconcile the fact that his brother was the Messiah. I have 3 siblings and I could relate to this! Hard to understand. But he did and he believed and he carried the gospel to so many. Feel like I need to come back to this day and remind myself how anwesome and mighty our God is. Have a wonderful day, all!
He was changed so much that James ended up being one of the first martyrs of the beginning of the Church (knowing Stephen was the 1st).
It’s amazing to think he was one of the 4 brothers but also a leader in the Church and got to be a big influence as well! And his name was actually Jacob! I thought that was really cool to learn. Lol
Erica
I may be misreading your comment, so forgive me if I am.
Today’s James was the brother of Jesus.
James the brother of John who was one of the 12 was martyred in Acts 12:1-2.
I love that James serves as an example of turning from unbelief to full on writing the gospel.
Yes! Belief and transformation. And being so passionate you live to tell!
Every one in Jesus’ human family needed the salvation He came to offer. Thankful James was one who became a leader in the church.
Of all those who knew or encountered Jesus, siblings would likely have had a difficult time wrapping their heads around their brother Jesus being the Son of God. Reminds me of Joseph’s brothers when he bragged about his dreams, or David’s father not considering presenting him for consideration until prodded.
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Thankful for Jesus, who changes everything. Thankful for James and his writings, a lot of wisdom in his God inspired words.
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MARGARET W – praying for Judy and upcoming surgery
MERCY – Amen.
MARI V praying for you, teacher and children in the new school year, and also for M in her faith journey & prayer request
RHONDA J praying for M and her unimaginable heartbreak of losing her son
TAMI praying for Chela, that the transition will be smooth
TERESA DONLEY – thank you for continuing to pray for these serious situations. Praying for Amanda and healing.
KIMBERLY – moved again this morning by yesterday’s beautiful words
WENDY B praying for continued healing
CEE GEE ❤️
TINA ❤️
Great connections to other brothers
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Agreeing with Searching in prayers.
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Praying for your family member’s health situation
Agreeing in prayer over these requests!
Please add Jim Wells with double pneumonia. He is a leukemia survivor.
Cheryl, I’m praying for Jim’s healing.
Amen ❤️