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Morning Devotion for the Season after Pentecost
July 25, 2026
St. James the Apostle
Reading: Jeremiah 26:12-15
Then Jeremiah spoke to all the officials and all the people, saying, ‘It is the Lord who sent me to prophesy against this house and this city all the words you have heard. Now therefore amend your ways and your doings, and obey the voice of the Lord your God, and the Lord will change his mind about the disaster that he has pronounced against you. But as for me, here I am in your hands. Do with me as seems good and right to you. Only know for certain that if you put me to death, you will be bringing innocent blood upon yourselves and upon this city and its inhabitants, for in truth the Lord sent me to you to speak all these words in your ears.’
Meditation: Jo Ann B. Jones
James, the son of Zebedee, was among the twelve disciples of Jesus. He was privileged to witness the Transfiguration, the healing of Peter's mother-in-law, the raising of the daughter of Jairus, and to watch and pray with Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane on the night before his death. Jesus nicknamed him with his brother "sons of thunder,” perhaps because they were headstrong, hot-tempered, and impulsive.
Finally, about 42 AD, shortly before Passover, James was beheaded by order of King Herod Agrippa I. James was the first of the disciples to be martyred and the only one of the disciples whose death is recorded in the New Testament.
James is often called James the Major to distinguish him from other New Testament persons called James. Tradition has it that he made a missionary journey to Spain, and that after his death his body was taken to Spain and buried there.
Setting the passage from Jeremiah in its historical context, note, that Babylon conquered Judah in a series of three major campaigns. Jerusalem was captured in 597 B.C. After a rebellion, Jerusalem fell and the First Temple was destroyed in 586. B.C, culminating in the Babylonian Captivity. Jeremiah was consistent in his submission to Babylon and in so doing, incurred the wrath of his contemporaries.
Those who were deported to Babylon were the cream of Israel's leadership, especially those princes who had been most effective in intervening on Jeremiah’s behalf. The remaining princes now serving Zedekiah, the ruler, though sincere patriots, lacked political savvy and wisdom. They were largely hostile to Jeremiah. Jeremiah anticipated the cruelty he would suffer. This is a similar situation into which James will be thrust and the accompanying cost that will be demanded of him.
Jesus rebuked James primarily for his arrogance, self-seeking ambition, and lack of compassion. There were two notable instances in which James’ behavior frustrated Jesus enough to step in. James asked Jesus for the highest position of honor in his kingdom—to sit at his left and right hands. This blatant power grab upset Jesus and angered the other disciples. Jesus seized upon this blatant power grab to teach James a foundational lesson: instead of lording authority over others like earthly rulers, true greatness arises through selfless servanthood and sacrifice.
I would take this passage from Jeremiah to be a cautionary lesson to James the Apostle as he considers Christ’s call to him during the Roman occupation. While he might assume the grant of some power and prestige, that will not consistently obtain, and certainly, when it does, will come with great cost. Words of caution to us all.
Prayer for the Apostle
O Gracious God, we remember before you today your servant and apostle James, first among the Twelve to suffer martyrdom for the Name of Jesus Christ; and we pray that you will pour out upon the leaders of your church that spirit of self-denying service by which alone they may have true authority among your people; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
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