Following Jesus 45

As we examine the Twelve Disciples of Jesus, we now examine the third group of four. We begin with the disciple known as James the Son of Alpheus or James the Less. 

 

While there is little information about James, we can make some important observations about him that may also be make about today’s followers of Jesus. 

 

James, as a follower of Jesus, was chosen by God. He was a follower of Jesus because Jesus chose him to be a follower. The same may be said of you. As we have previously seen, two passages in John’s gospel bears this out: John 6:66-70 and John 15:12-17. 

 

Secondly, as a follower of Jesus James could serve Jesus and remain unknown and obscure. Minor. Unseen. Humble. Unheard of. To our knowledge, James never wrote anything. Scripture does not record him ever asking Jesus any questions. He was not famous. He did not stand out in a crowd; He was a common person who had a common name. He sought no recognition, he displayed no great leadership, he asked no critical questions and he demonstrated no unusual insight. Only his name remains. That, and that he was one of the twelve. 

 

Many followers of Jesus may conclude that their lives may little impact for the kingdom of God. Nothing could be further from the truth. Every follower of Jesus is significant. This is what the Apostle Paul says about this issue in 1 Corinthians 12:12-26. 

 

For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit. For the body does not consist of one member but of many. If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, yet one body. 

 

The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. (1 Corinthians 12:12-26 ESV).

 

Thank the Lord today that you are not insignificant as you follow Jesus. Soli deo Gloria!