James the Lesser
By Lyn Bennett Wilson
James the Lesser, or James the Just, a close relative of the Mother of Our Lord and witness to the crucifixion, friend of the Apostle Paul, leader of the Jerusalem Council, and first Bishop of Jerusalem.
James, according to tradition, was also writer of the Book of James. (one of the three James of the New Testament) James the Epistle was written to Jews scattered abroad in the Diaspora.
The persecution of Jewish people who had become Christians began in 49. The Roman Emperor Claudius drove the Jewish Christians out of Rome because of the rioting of Jews against the Jewish proselytes and Christianity in general.
The Epistle of James is very practical in its instructions to the Jews and indeed to us.
It is a discipleship manual teaching faith + deeds, self-control, standing our ground in temptation.
Reportedly James the Lesser was martyred by being thrown from the pinnacle of the temple, stoned and beaten with a fullers club. The Saint who, under the power of the Holy Spirit, discipled Christendom, was stoned by his own people in his own city.
May we, like James, bring the Gospel to our own countrymen without regard for persecution.
LogoSophia Magazine 