The Cost to Believe. 2023 Lenten Post #4

James and John (the sons of Zebedee, but Jesus nicknamed them "Sons of Thunder. (Mark 3:17, New Living Translation)

The verses above introduce two of Jesus' disciples, James and John, who Jesus sometimes referred to as "Sons of Thunder." No one is quite sure why. Were they loud or forceful? When they weren't fishing, were they fighting? We'll never know, but Jesus had His reasons; all we can do is wonder.

Nearly every verse that mentions James includes his brother John. Because James' name is always first, I assume he's the older one, but I don't think anyone knows for certain. One thing to note is that there is another James in the New Testament; he was one of Jesus' brothers. The book of James is believed to be written by that James and not the disciple.

The only time the apostle James is mentioned without his brother John is in the book of Acts.

About that time King Herod Agrippa began to persecute some believers in the church. He had the apostle James (John's brother) killed with a sword. (Acts 12:1-2, New Living Translation)

The experts who have studied the apostles over the centuries generally agree that all these men were killed as martyrs except one. John is the only one believed to have died of old age. However, James is the only one whose death is recorded in the Bible.

Historians believe that James died about fourteen years after Jesus and probably was the first disciple to be martyred. We're not sure how exactly that sword killed him, but he was likely beheaded.

Many other early Christians, besides the apostles, were brutally murdered because they preached that Jesus Christ had risen from the tomb to save them all. Even today, Christians are martyred around the world, and even here in the US, they have been persecuted.

How about you? Would you share your belief in Jesus as your Savior with others if it meant harassment, punishment, or possible death? Or would you deny Jesus to save your earthly life at the risk of losing your eternal, heavenly life?