Continuing to explore the message of the Kingdom and the implication of Jesus’ invitation for us to pursue a radical transformation from inside out according to the Sermon of the Mount, I would like to look today at the letter of James. This New Testament letter had a great impact in my life. I remember when I was still in middle school and I started to study this letter with my father. I believe it was the first book of the Bible that really instigated in me a passion and reverence to the Word of God. I was challenged in many ways to pursue integrity in my walk with the Lord, and even though I was young, I understood the relevance of James’ apprehensions about the social impact of our attitudes.
This letter differs somewhat from others letters in the New Testament, since James presents the Christian message relating to the social impact of holiness. The book also uses a straightforward language marked by unambiguous ethical teaching and authoritative pronouncement. James was addressing the twelve tribes (1:1), which most likely were Jewish people scattered among the nations. Interestingly enough the book of James correlates to the gospel of Matthew. Both were Jewish writers writing to Jewish audiences. Perhaps James wanted to translate Jesus’ invitation in the Sermon of the Mount for us to be co-participants of the Kingdom of God into practice. Therefore, his main goal was to encourage the audience to pursue holiness in the social context; in other words, they were instructed to translate their love for God and for others through faith and works.
Today I would like to look at the first verse of this letter: “James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings” (James 1:1 – NIV). Since the name “James” was very common in the early Church, we cannot know for sure the authorship of this book. Most likely the author was one of Jesus’ brothers, so it makes sense that James attempts to radically challenge the audience, since he experienced suffering and persecution in the early days of the Church. Scholars believe James was martyred at A.D. 62.
James refers to himself as a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. This perhaps represents James’ humility in identifying himself with the word “servant.” This word in the Jewish context represented a very low social position; it was worse than a position of slavery. In order for us to experience the Kingdom, we need to understand what it means to be a servant of God. Jesus gave his example when he washed the disciples’ feet (John 13:1-12). This shows us that we need to be willing to humble ourselves so we can serve others. Service also represents loyalty upon the Master. James understood his role in the Kingdom of God that we must serve God by serving others. We can also grasp from this verse a sense of authority, in order for us to influence others in seeking to experience salvation we cannot have a selfish agenda; therefore the model of servanthood is to be lived out by those in leadership.
James is such a rich letter, there are so many implications from the text and I am amazed by what we can grasp by studying only one verse. In the first verse of the letter, we understand what our position should be according to Jesus teachings. We can experience the Kingdom today by serving others, and by being loyal to God. Studying the Scriptures requires an understanding of the matter presented to the ancient audience. By understanding the audience, context, culture, etc… we are able to comprehend more about this Book. God wants to reveal Himself through His Scripture, may our minds and hearts will be open for what He has to say and teach us so we can grow in the fear of the Lord.
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