1 Corinthians 15:7. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles.
This is not James the son of Zebedee, or James the Less, this is James the half-brother of Jesus. James, the elder of the church of Jerusalem. James, the author of scripture. In Galatians, James is called an apostle and pillar of the church by Paul.
Why does James make this list of appearances by the resurrected Jesus? Isn’t it obvious that Jesus would appear to his brother, his family? Actually no, it’s not obvious at all. James and the other brothers of Jesus were never counted among his followers before his death. In fact, at times they openly opposed him and his mission, even calling him crazy.
Mark 3:20-21. 20Then he went home, and the crowd gathered again, so that they could not even eat. 21And when his family heard it, they went out to seize him, for they were saying, “He is out of his mind.”
John 7:1-5. 1After this Jesus went about in Galilee. He would not go about in Judea, because the Jews were seeking to kill him. 2Now the Jews’ Feast of Booths was at hand. 3So his brothers said to him, “Leave here and go to Judea, that your disciples also may see the works you are doing. 4For no one works in secret if he seeks to be known openly. If you do these things, show yourself to the world.” 5For not even his brothers believed in him.
What James is, is one of the greatest “before and after” stories in history. From actively opposed to Jesus, thinking him insane, and even trying to send him into danger and potential death in Judea, to proclaiming Jesus as Savior, becoming the pastor of the first church ever, and ultimately giving his life for Christ.
What could make someone turn completely around like that?
In church history, James is known as The Just. This is because he was a rule follower, a law keeper. The Book of Acts, and Galatians, and his own writing in the book of James confirm this. James at times even flirted with being a bit of a legalist. For example, when Paul finally made it back to Jerusalem after a long missionary journey, James told him that he should undergo the purification rituals, shave his head, and pay his temple fees before entering the Temple to preach. Paul probably would have just walked into the Temple dirty and unshaved. Either way, a riot still erupted because of Paul’s presence (but I digress).
What convinced James that his brother was God’s divine Messiah? Yes, the resurrection, but also the sinless life of Jesus. If your sibling rose from the dead would you think they were God? Probably not. You’ve seen them at their worst. You know for a fact they are not holy, holy, holy. But when James saw his big brother resurrected he could not immediately point to any sin that would disqualify him from divinity. No transgression of the law, no falling short of God’s command, no iniquity in the heart. Only this kind of perfect righteousness could make James use these words to open his epistle to the church:
James 1:1. James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,
Do you have a “before and after” story like James? Has your life been transformed by Jesus?
Remember, James’ “before and after” isn’t a story of leaving behind wickedness and worldliness. James had to leave behind self-righteousness through law keeping. Maybe he spent his whole life trying to keep up with Jesus’ perfection. Maybe you have too. It’s time to let Jesus’ sinless life be your sinless life. Let his works of righteousness be counted as your own. Maybe it’s time to say, “Jesus I trust in your sinlessness, not my own.”
Did James still struggle with legalism even after his miraculous conversion. It appears so at times. But what James was able to do was turn the Law of God into a matter of wisdom and witness, an effort of love that proves our righteousness rather than produces our righteousness.
Hopefully, in Christ, you have a similar relationship with God’s Law. Hopefully like James, you know that you cannot keep pace with God’s righteousness apart from having it imputed to you by grace through faith. Remember, in the words of James himself, “For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it.”
In Christ, we have not only seen the resurrected Jesus by faith, but we can be assured that his perfect life has been credited to us by that same faith. Now what? Now we can see the Law as the wisdom of God on display in us as the life of Christ and his love. For what is the fulfillment of the Law? Love God and love neighbor. James knew this. Do we?
You: What is your “before and after” story?
You in Christ: What’s the difference in trusting in Jesus’ law-keeping versus your own law-keeping?
Christ in you: How does our righteousness in Christ allow us to use the Law as a source of wisdom?
Prayer: Father, like James I have a pretty amazing “before and after” story in Christ. Thank you for radically changing me and for sending Jesus to fulfill all righteousness for me. Amen.
To Live is Christ 