James 1:17 Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.
James (or Jacob) is the brother of Jesus, half-brother of Jesus via Joseph from an earlier marriage, a cousin of Jesus on Mary’s side, or half-brother of Jesus via Mary during her second marriage. Most scholars conclude that he was the brother of Jesus. He was the leader of the Church in Jerusalem. He probably wrote the book of James in 62AD. He would die by stoning at a later date. This is Josephus’s the ancient Jewish historian from that era…
“Ananus, who, as we have told you already, took the high priesthood, was a bold man in his temper, and very insolent; he was also of the sect of the Sadducees, who are very rigid in judging offenders, above all the rest of the Jews, as we have already observed; when, therefore, Ananus was of this disposition, he thought he had now a proper opportunity [to exercise his authority]. Festus was now dead, and Albinus was but upon the road; so he assembled the Sanhedrin of judges, and brought before them the brother of Jesus, who was called Christ, whose name was James, and some others, [or, some of his companions]; and when he had formed an accusation against them as breakers of the law, he delivered them to be stoned. “
Ananus ben Ananus had gathered the Sanhedrin without permission from the chief legal leader of the Roman Empire. He was sent a letter concerning this action and threatening to punish the Priest. King Herod Agrippa II had Ananus ben Anunus removed from office. Ananus was one of the chief leaders of the revolt against the Roman Empire which erupted in 66AD. His father was Annas who had been the High Priest and is mentioned in the Gospel of John as seeing Jesus before he was sent to Calaphas, Annas son-in-law, and the high priest at the time of Jesus trial. Ananus would die in the revolt.
Why am I discussing this history?
History matters: it tells us what happened at the time of the early church. James the Just, as he was often called, knew all these things. He knew the risk he and other early Christians were taking. It also proves that Jesus did exist for Josephus writes of Jesus as well as a Greek historian. Some today say Jesus was a myth. They are wrong. Ignore their words and instead pray for them.
James wrote this book based largely on two things… the Sermon on the Mount that Jesus taught and the Book of Proverbs. It is a book of wisdom writings that mainly addresses that we should love God and love our neighbors. He was attempting to keep the Jerusalem Church focused on Jesus and what he taught them and not about what was happening around them.
What does this mean for us to day? Let’s go back and look at that verse, “Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.”
We live in a world that is unstable. Each day there is news of wars and rumors of wars. Each day there are those who do not respect our faith in Jesus Christ. The Book of James can give us wisdom on how to live in these days. I know also that there have been centuries of days like this.
Specifically in this verse- James is saying every good and perfect gift comes from heaven. If you are good at working with cows, that is a gift from God. If you are a good nurse, that is a gift from God. If you are good at giving, that is a gift from God…. All good things come from God. Everything you own is from God. We often forget that truth. We begin to think look what I have done. This is my reward for all the hard work I have done. Look at my home and everything else. God gave us all of that… because He gave us the skills to do those things. He gave us those things to glorify His Kingdom. We should not be boastful of our accomplishments or jealous of others who have those accomplishments. Being boastful denies God’s gift to you, and being jealous is denying what God has given to you. Every Good gift comes from God.
God is Light, and he does not deal with shadows… meaning He does not hide who He is. God is always with us. He promised that to us. He does not break promises. God is Light, and He shares His Light with all of us. We always walk with that Light around and in us.
Today’s Question:
Have you thanked God for the good gifts He has given you?
Ever in Christ’s love,
Mary Elizabeth Todd March 6, 2024 & July 16, 2024
Ruhamah United Methodist Church Bible Verses 