Sermons

Saint James the Apostle
Sunday 25 July 2004 at 8am
Kathryn Elliott

Readings: Acts 11.27- 12.2 & Matthew 20.20 - 28 (B C P)

The Son of Man came not to be ministered to but to minister…

Are you sitting comfortably….? Then be prepared not to!
The scriptures, I found as I perused today's passages, are not always straightforward and comforting - God's word to us can be discomforting! It rebukes us, alerts us and can turn norms upside down.

Initially S. James the Apostle had a relatively comfortable, secure lifestyle and a privileged discipleship: he was born into a fishing family and, together with his father, mother and John, his brother lived and worked by Lake Galilee. Trade must have been quite good because his parents could pay for hired workers; into that settled, secure lifestyle came Jesus and his unexpected, life-changing call: Come unto me and I will teach you to catch people, Jesus had called to Simon and Andrew, James and John… and they followed him.

James had been preparing fishing nets at the time - no doubt he put them down before he went with Jesus; at different times in our lives Jesus may ask us to put aside a commitment or interest in order to have the space to follow him and then to take up a new task in his service.

James had the privilege of finding himself chosen to be in a group of Jesus' closest companions; together with only John and Peter he witnessed the miracle of Jairus' daughter being raised from death.

James also witnessed Jesus' transfiguration and was privileged to see Moses and Elijah talking with Jesus; like Peter and John he heard God's voice on that mountain and was terrified!

It has been suggested that James was known as James the Greater because of his large physical stature or because he was well-known - whatever, he certainly had a 'great' ambition and was anxious to have another privilege - that he and his brother should have special positions at Jesus' right and left hand when Jesus came into the glory of his kingdom.

The seat at the right was one of highest distinction and the one at the left was second in honour. Talk about securing promotion! Why do you think the other 10 disciples were 'moved to indignation' when they overheard this request? Possibly they wanted that honour and privilege too!

Jesus used this occasion as an opportunity to give some radical teaching regarding social status and service.

James and John did not understand what they were asking for, nor the implications of those favoured positions. Somewhat patiently but firmly, Jesus explained that there was a cost involved. He asked, 'Can you drink the cup of suffering that I am about to drink?'
They affirmed, sincerely but somewhat hastily that they could. Had they really given thought to their answer? Could we answer, 'Yes Lord, I am prepared to suffer with you and for you as required so that your kingdom comes on earth?'

Suffering did come for the early church as Jesus (and Agabus) predicted; our reading in Acts records famine in Judaea and persecution from Herod - persecution which for James meant being beheaded by the sword; we recall Jesus' words, 'You will indeed drink from my cup.'

There is a cost in our discipleship.

Jesus continued patiently but firmly to explain that only the Father knows and has chosen who will be in certain places of honour; our value or honour is not a reward for our service or suffering but is freely given to us in Jesus by God. Conversely, it is the knowledge of God's free love for us which spurs us on in our discipleship, whatever cost that may involve.

In our personal quiet times of prayer, let us intercede for Christians who are threatened because of political circumstances.

Finally in his conversation with James and John, Jesus outlined his servant-hood and sets an example for us to follow:
The son of Man came to serve … and to give his life to redeem many people.

James the Apostle would have been with the disciples when after his resurrection, Jesus commissioned them to be witnesses for him (Acts 1)

During the coming week, let us prayerfully consider what Jesus wants us to do or to be so that others will be redeemed.. Where is he calling us to serve and tell his message of God's love?

This is our God, the Servant King;
He calls us now to follow him;
To give our lives as a daily offering
of worship to the Servant King.

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