In my reading this week, I came across the account of James’ martyrdom at the hands of King Herod (cf. Acts 12:1-2). I was struck with the concise, matter-of-fact description of that tragedy, recorded by the Holy Spirit through Luke’s pen. “Now about that time Herod the king stretched out his hand to harass some from the church. Then he killed James the brother of John with the sword.”
As an apostle, James was one of the most important men of the first century. And yet, little is known of his life, character, and even his death. In our day, such an influential man would be profiled, biographied, eulogized and even idolized. His death would be portrayed as a tragedy of immense proportions. There is a lesson here for us. While men are focused on this life, the Holy Spirit is concerned with the life to come.
In His ministry, Jesus promised his disciples, “He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it” (Matthew 10:39). While time may have obscured the influence and accomplishments of James while he lived on this earth, his faithfulness to His Lord secured for him a far greater and more lasting heritage. Because of his faith, he secured a mansion, (cf. John 14:1-3).
We too should live our lives for the eternal goal of a home with God in heaven. Living in such a way may not secure for us any lasting notoriety, but that is no great loss. What it will do is attract the attention of our Lord. May He say to us all, “Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord” (Matthew 25:23).
