James Zebedee

James was the brother of John Boanerges. probably from Bethsaida, the hometown of Philip, Andrew, and Peter. (John 1:44) John, James, and their father were all fishermen. His father’s name was Zebedee, and his mother was Salome, the sister of Mary, the mother of the Lord. (Matthew 4:21; Mark 1:19; John 21:2) They were so wealthy that they had hired servants (Mark 1:19-20) to help them in the fishing business, especially mending their nets. Along with his brother John, he also aspired to sit beside the Lord in His glory, which was rejected.

James the Greater

James is called the Greater, as the other James is called the Less. Firstly, because of his calling: he was called earlier by Christ. Secondly, because of his intimacy with Christ, for Our Lord seems to have held this James in closer friendship than the other, admitting to him His secrets, as when he was present at the raising of the daughter of Jairus and the Transfiguration and the Garden of Gethsemane. Thirdly, because of his passion, he was the first of the apostles to be put to death. Thus, he is called Greater because he received the grace to become a martyr and was earlier summoned to the glory of eternity.

Death of James

James was a prominent leader in the Jerusalem Church. Paul, three years after his conversion, meets James. (Galatians 1:18-19) King Herod Agrippa I of Judaea beheaded James in AD 44. (Acts 12:1-17) Herod wanted to kill Peter also, but the Lord sent an angel to make him escape. Why James died as a martyr is a mystery. The Acts of the Apostles records only these three disciples who were groomed for a greater role. Yet, James died for the Lord.

Challenge

He was a man of courage and forgiveness. Indeed, he was a man without jealousy, living in the shadow of John, and a man of extraordinary faith. God had a special plan for him, unlike Peter or John. Of the three, he was the first to die. Yet, he served his generation and fulfilled the role for which God had called him.