Setting an Example

As the oldest of five children, I have always felt a responsibility to set an example for my younger brothers and sister. I have three younger brothers and a younger sister. Each of them grew up often being identified as "Josh's little brother" or "Josh's little sister". This is to be expected and was a duty that I regarded as very important.

It was important for me growing up to demonstrate to my younger brothers and sister the decisions in life that they should make. I wanted them to avoid the party scene. I wanted them to respect their parents and teachers. I wanted them to see how to do the right thing and to have had a good example to follow. This morning I read Mark 5 and 6. In Mark 5:37 I was struck by a simple phrase within this verse. The verse says "And He allowed no one to accompany Him, except Peter and James and John the brother of James." (NASB)

This is what is referred to as the Inner Circle. These three men and Andrew represented the 4 men closest to Jesus and thus were priviledged to have seen and heard things from Jesus that the other disciples were not previed to. In this verse the phrase "John the brother of James" caught my eye. It reminded me of a younger brother who was known by his identification to the older brother. So I looked it up and this is what I found out: Of the 17 times in which James and John are mentioned together in the same verse in the synoptic gospels, James is always mentioned first (Matt 4:21; 10:2; 17:1; Mk 1:19; 1:29; 3:17; 5:37; 9:2; 10:35; 10:41; 13:3; 14:33;Lu 5:10; 6:14; 8:51; 9:28; 9:54). The only occurrence in all of Scripture which he is not listed before John is Acts 1:13.

Thus, he was the older brother. People knew John because they first knew James. They made assumptions about John's character based upon James. They assumed that John was probably in some way very similar to James. And in fact they were - both being called the "Sons of Thunder" (Mk 3:17) for their quick temperments and high level of energy.

However, I also recalled something else significant. In Acts 12:2 we learn about the death of James where it simply says "And he had James the brother of John put to death with a sword." (NASB)

Thus, even in death James set a precedence for his younger brother. He showed John how to live his life so courageously that he would even choose to become martyred for his faith in Jesus.

What an incredible example he set! And his younger brother would need it. Later John penned the book of Revelation only because he had been exiled to the island of Patmos. James was a leader. He was a man of integrity who raised the bar and invited his younger brother to join him and to live up to the calling that Jesus had given to both of them in their lives.

"Heavenly Father, I thank you for the example of James. I pray that I too may demonstrate to my own brothers and sister how to live their lives willing to sacrifice everything for the sake of Your Kingdom and their King - Jesus."

I pray that you will remember the example of James set as you set an example for your siblings and those who look up to you in the Lord.

Joshua