St Wilfrid’s Church, Grappenhall
The Rector writes . . .
St James in July
Rather Favoured
On Friday 25th July the Church commemorates St James the Apostle, one of the favoured three disciples chosen by Jesus to be with him on occasions which had about them something quite special, something great. They were an ‘inner circle’, a group close to the Lord.
Who were these privileged members of that group?
They were Simon Peter, James and John.
James and John were brothers, sons of Zebedee, who ran a prosperous fishing business on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. Both the brothers had left their home and their livelihood as fishermen in obedience to the call of Christ. Peter was another fisherman, and he too had been called, with his brother Andrew; indeed all four had - according to Matthew and Mark - been called on the same occasion, when Jesus was walking one day by the Sea of Galilee.
Good Witnesses
This ‘inner circle’ was with Jesus on important occasions, witnesses to the Transfiguration, to the raising of Jairus’ daughter, and to the terrible events of the Agony in the garden of Gethsemane. Maybe the others were slightly jealous, seeing a kind of favouritism. Certainly Jesus gave this select group three special nicknames - Simon became ‘Peter’ the Rock, while James and John were called the Sons of Thunder! Perhaps these brothers were especially argumentative. Perhaps like some people we know, they easily blew up into black clouds of anger. No doubt, they would let the sun break through; and after a brief thunderstorm, all would be clear, and fresh air would blow refreshingly through again, and good humour would be restored.
Some Discord
On one occasion, which is recorded in St Mark’s Gospel (Ch 10.v35), a fair measure of discord is noted. James and John (perhaps their mother pushing them into it) were ambitious enough, or self-seeking enough, to try and ‘book in advance’ as it were, positions of honour for themselves at Jesus’ right and left hand when the Great day would arrive and the kingdom would be inaugurated.
This caused great offence to the rest of the Twelve who protested vigorously to the Lord. Were they already disturbed, perhaps by the apparent favouritism Jesus seemed to be displaying?
Jealousy! It does seem rather strange that these holy Apostles, men who were in the presence of Christ every day should reveal jealousy.
What a very human emotion jealousy is. How often the inner circle of any organisation or group, however idealistic or Christian, can be disrupted by jealousy or favouritism . . . It is an old, old story.
Ready to Suffer
We know that Jesus does not give out privileges because of favouritism; he gives them because they involve special responsibility, a sharing of pain and sorrow. ‘You do not know what you are asking - can you drink the cup that I am to drink?’ James’s expressed willingness to do just that was realised all too soon, in his being the first of the Apostles to die for his Lord. St Luke records his martyrdom:-
‘About that time Herod the king laid violent hands upon some members of the Church; he killed James the brother of John with the sword’ (Acts 12, v1-2)
From the port of Vigo in Spain, Miriam, Philip and I were privileged a couple of years ago to visit the great Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela which is the final resting place of St James. This massive shrine has attracted pilgrims for hundreds of years.
Another tomb we have visited on a number of occasions whilst on holiday is that of St Peter‘s in Rome, that huge Vatican Basilica which bears his name.
Peter was also arrested and thrown into prison; but an angelic intervention brought him out, free and unharmed (Acts 12 6-17)
The Kingdom
In the Kingdom of Christ, those who desire to advance must not push themselves forward, but serve others, putting their needs first. Christ came not to be ministered to, but to minister to others.
We must put ourselves last, not first, if we are to help to bring in the Kingdom. Our King came not to be ministered to, but to minister, and give his life as a ransom for many. To be like Christ is the true Christian ambition, and it is to be like Christ which constitutes great greatness.
Yours sincerely
Malcolm B. Kelly.
Office Address:
Church Lane
Grappenhall
Warrington
Cheshire