Title Honorable Title Servant of Jesus (James 1:1)
Contents
Honorable Title Servant of Jesus
James 1:1
The seven books are called the Common Epistles, along with James, 1 and 2 Peter, 1, 2, 3, and Jude. The other epistles specify the individual or church to whom the letter is being addressed, since these seven books do not specify the name of the church or person to whom the letter is addressed. These are letters written for each church or individual to turn and read. There are some sayings that are common to all Christians.
author of the book of James
The book of James was written by James, the brother of Jesus. In the New Testament, there are three reports of James. James the son of Alpheus James the brother of John There was James, the brother of the flesh of Jesus. Jesus' brothers did not believe in Jesus until he died and was resurrected. But after his resurrection, he believed in Jesus and James became a great leader of the church. Although James was not among the twelve apostles, he was recognized as a leader alongside the apostles and became a leader in the Jerusalem church.
Those who longed for the time when Jesus was active in the world were comforted by seeing James, the brother of Jesus, and must have told many stories of his childhood with Jesus.
And several records record that he was martyred. James ended his life as a martyr while performing his ministry as a disciple of the Jerusalem church.
Purpose of James
The book of James was given to give strength to the saints who are being tempted, to warn those who are idle in their religious life, and to enlighten those who know Christianity but do not practice it. If a belief is real, it must be manifested in action.
Honorable Title Servant of Jesus
One title of 'Servant of Jesus' is enough to make me known. It is significant that James introduces himself as a servant of Jesus.
First, the word ‘servant of Jesus’ means absolute obedience.
The word 'servant' here actually means 'slave'. In ancient societies, slaves had nothing of their own. The master could sell the slave at any time. Even if children are born, they are not their own children, they belong to the owner. The master was the absolute law against the slave. The slave could do whatever the master wanted. Slaves had no rights whatsoever. There was only 'yes' and no 'no' to the master's command. James describes himself as such a slave.
James is the brother of Jesus. It is not easy for a younger brother to acknowledge himself as a slave to his older brother. People tend not to appreciate that person the closer they are. People and paintings should be viewed from a distance. Even Jesus said that prophets are not welcomed in their hometown. However, after meeting the resurrected Jesus, James acknowledges the man who ate, played, and slept with him as his master and his slave.
We too must live as slaves to Jesus. Don't let your emotions take over. Overcome emotional interference and obey. Don't be a slave to reason. Those who reason to think, calculate, and follow anything rationally are the slaves of reason, not the slaves of Jesus. Don't be a slave to material things.
James did not just say that Jesus was the master and that he was the slave. He always got down on his knees and wanted to know what he meant before him. I always prayed. James' knee is nicknamed the camel's knee. Calluses were lodged in the camel's knee because the camel repeatedly knelt and then got up, but because James also always knelt and prayed, calluses were lodged in his knee and became like a camel's knee.
Second, the word ‘servant of Jesus’ means absolute humility.
This is an attitude that only considers one's responsibilities without thinking about one's privileges. You don't think about your rights, you only think about your responsibilities. Many people today are not concerned with their responsibilities and are only interested in privileges. They do not fulfill their obligations faithfully and only assert their rights. But the servant of Jesus means that he gave up in order to follow him. It is a life of self-denial. You can always say 'yes' to Jesus, but always say 'no' to yourself.
Third, ‘Jesus’ servant’ means absolute loyalty.
This is the attitude of a person who has no interest in himself and only in God. Much of the mental anguish we face today comes from self-care. I feel angry and worried that my rights have been violated because I am being ignored by others, because my future is uncertain, and because I feel like there will be some damage to myself. But James abandoned his interest in himself. He completely entrusted all the problems of his life to God. They didn't take into account their own interests or their own liking.
honorary title
As a servant of Jesus, James was a servant of Jesus who gave up everything he had and completely abandoned everything he had and lived as a slave. However, James regarded the title ‘Servant of Jesus’ as the most honorable title. People of faith knew this title as the most honorable title. Moses also called himself a servant of God, and Joshua, Caleb, Jacob, and Job all valued the title of servant of God. We too have the highest title of servants of Jesus. Is there nothing to look forward to because there is nothing good in the world? Let's introduce ourselves, like agobo, by saying, 'I am a servant of Jesus'.