James, Brother of Jesus

I. slam a fresh block of wood on the carving table and glare back at the house, even though I know my family won’t see my expression. “James, brother of Jesus,” I scoff aloud and bring my knife down in a deep slash over the edge of the block. “Jesus, the perfect child. It doesn’t matter what I do—Jesus has always done something better.” I blow sawdust off of the wood and inspect the gouges. Frustration has made my hands clumsy, and I’ll have to start over. Sandals scuff in the doorway, and I turn. Jesus has walked into the room. I bite back a sneer. “Can I help you?” Jesus approaches the table and peers down at my work. “That’s very good.” “No, it’s not,” I protest, then point out everything that’s gone wrong. Jesus listens, but with a pained expression. “What?” I ask, exasperated. “James, your worth is not based in perfection,” Jesus says. “That’s God’s Job ” I hesitate. “I’m jealous of you,” I mumble, looking at my feet. “I say things I don’t mean.” Jesus touches my shoulder. “You are secure in the Father’s love for you. You don’t understand completely now. But, one day, you will.” He taps a finger on the mangled block. “Keep working on this one.” My brother walks back to the house. I stand there for a few seconds, clutching my file, speechless. Then I turn back to my work. • Rebecca Roskamp • James was the brother of Jesus. Since Jesus was fully human and fully God, James may have felt pressured by his friends and even his family because of his close relation to Jesus. Try to identify any pressures you feel from your own family. • Jealousy is often at the root of other sins. What are some rash actions or judgments you have made out of jealousy? When we are jealous, how can resting in God’s love for us through Christ help? For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift—not from works, so that no one can boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do. Ephesians 2:8-10 (CSB)

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Ephesians 2:8-10