Jerusalem, Israel, 44 AD
“James, John, come with me!” James and his brother, John, followed their mother, who knelt at Jesus’ feet. “Lord, will You do a favor for me?” She asked. “What would you like for Me to do?” Jesus asked. Their mother said, “Grant that one of my two sons may sit at Your right and the other at Your left in Your kingdom.”
“You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said. Then He turned to the two men. “Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?” “We can,” James and John answered together. Jesus said to them, “You will indeed drink from My cup.”
Several years later, King Herod Agrippa decided to stop the spread of Christianity by striking its leaders. He had James arrested and sentenced to death on the basis of one man’s testimony. However, when this accuser saw James’ extraordinary courage and steadfast joy, even when condemned to die, the man was deeply touched in his heart. There on the spot, the accuser made a decision for Christ. He boldly cried out, “I want to follow Jesus also. I am a Christian.”
The soldiers led James to be executed. Along the way, his accuser stopped the apostle and fell down at his feet. “I am so sorry for what I have done,” he cried. “The blood of an innocent man is on my hands. Please, please, before you die, please forgive me.” James paused for a moment, then said, “Peace be to you, brother,” and gave him a holy kiss.
Then the man said, “You should not receive the crown of martyrdom alone. I will die with you.” He was immediately sentenced to death and they were both brought to the place of execution. Minutes later, the two were beheaded together.
Just as Jesus had foretold, James, the son of Zebedee, was martyred, the first of twelve disciples to die for his faith. Raising His eyes, Jesus said….
“I spelled out Your character in detail
To the men and women You gave Me.
They were Yours in the first place;
Then You gave them to Me…
Everything is Mine is Yours, and Yours Mine,
And My life is on display in them.
For I’m no longer going to be visible in this world:
They’ll continue in the world while I return to You.
Holy Father, guard them as they pursue this life
That You conferred as a gift through Me,
So they can be one heart and mind
As We are one heart and mind.”
[John 17:1,6,10,11 The Message]
The Voice of Martyrs, “Jesus Freaks”
