Epistle of James is unique among the writings of the New Testament. It gives a marvelous opportunity to get a sense of the lives and the times of early Christian thought. In the relatively short epistle of James (108 verses), the author parallels the teaching of Jesus, as recorded in Matthew, nineteen times. Fourteen of those references are found in the Sermon on the Mount. There are more parallels to the teaching of Jesus in this epistle than any other book in the New Testament. His writings open a window of understanding for those first few decades following the death and resurrection of Jesus.

Epistle of James written by a revered leader in first century Christianity.

The writing of James echoed the ethical teaching of Jesus with such clarity he would be given the epitaph of James, the Just. He was called an apostle by Paul. James was recognized as a church leader by the believers in Jerusalem. He would be revered as a saint by the church fathers in the generations to come. From the pages of history, the life of James stands out among his peers as an eminent saint and leader of first century Christianity.

Although James eventually became a devout follower of Jesus, he did not always believe in his older brother. In fact, the gospels reveal that most of the family of Jesus evidently held a skeptical view towards his ministry:

And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works? Is not this the carpenter’s son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas? And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things? (Matt. 13:54-56).

Matthew added,

And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house. And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief (Matthew 13:57-58).

Epistle of James has as its essence the resurrection of Jesus.

The members of his own house, specifically James, did not come to believe in Jesus until he witnessed the resurrection of Jesus. When Jesus appeared to James, the power of the reality of the resurrection of Jesus transformed the life of James. Is it any wonder that the resurrection process then is the essence of the letter of James?

James sets forth the great truths of death and resurrection in the first twelve verses. Then, he spends the rest of his letter giving commentary on those opening statements.

Epistle of James can change lives.

The Epistle of James does reveal the life and the times of those first years after the death and resurrection of Jesus. It was a time where the lives of the believers lived, moved, and had their being in their resurrected Lord. Those truths proclaimed in the Epistle of James can also transform the lives of anyone who will read with eyes ready to see.

As James said

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him” (James 1:5).

You, too, as James can forever be changed by coming to understand, to experience, the resurrection process of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Epistle of James proclaims the power of the living persuasion, a living faith that works.