Day 1: A Servant First

From James, a servant of God and of our Lord Jesus Christ. (James 1:1a)

Reflection

Like most New Testament epistle writers, James begins his letter by introducing himself. There is something different, noteworthy, even startling about his introduction.

In his epistle to the Colossian church, Paul introduces himself with these words: From Paul, chosen by God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and from Timothy, who is also a follower. (Colossians 1:1) Peter begins his first epistle with this introduction: From Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 1:1) But James simply states that he is “a servant of God and of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

The casual reader may well conclude that James does not call himself an apostle because he is not an apostle, but that is not true. Like Paul, he had a direct personal encounter with the risen Christ (1 Corinthians 15:7-8), and Paul lists him first among the three esteemed apostolic pillars of the church. (See Galatians 2:9.) Proof of his authority can be seen as he presided over the Council of Jerusalem that welcomed Gentiles into the church. (See Acts 15.) In short, James occupied the highest earthly position in the New Testament church.

Furthermore, Paul identifies James not only as an apostle but as the brother of Jesus: I saw none of the other apostles—only James, the Lord’s brother. (Galatians 1:19) None of the other apostles can claim this familial relationship with our Lord.

But in his introduction James mentions none of this. Rather than refer to these extraordinary qualifications, he simply calls himself “a servant of God and of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

A servant—that’s a genteel, sanitized description. The Greek term δοῦλος (doulos) translated here as servant might better be translated and understood as slave or bondservant.

Jesus in prayer before his arrest.

Why does James assume this lowly position? Why not announce his authority and declare his pre-eminent role in the church? The answer is James knew Jesus. He knew Jesus deeply—like no other human. Jesus came as a δοῦλος, a male slave. He did not exalt himself. He humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! (Philippians 2:8b) Jesus calls his followers to do the same—to humble ourselves—to die to ourselves.

Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.” (Mark 9:35)

James got the memo. Have we?

Response

Lord Jesus, I humble myself before you. Help me assume the position of a humble servant before others. You have shown us the way. We praise and thank you now. Amen.

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