The physician Luke wrote how, “Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church”, and in chapter twelve and verse two of the book of Acts Luke shared how Herod, “killed James the brother of John with the sword” where we read:
And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.
The verse begins, “And he killed James the brother of John ...” Luke began with the words, “and he killed James” which means “and Herod slayed, abolished and took the life of James whose name means supplanter and was the son of Zebedee and a disciple of Jesus” “the brother of John” or “the male sibling of John whose name means Jehovah is a gracious giver and was the son of Zebedee and a disciple of Jesus”. Luke shared how “Herod” took the life of “James” who was “John's brother” and known as one of the “sons of thunder” or “Boanerges”.
The verse goes on to say, “... with the sword.” Luke continued with the words, “with the sword” which means “by use of a large knife or small sword”. Luke shared how “Herod” used a “sword” to kill “James”.
When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we learn how the persecution against the church of Jesus included “killing” “James” who was a leader. “James” and his brother “John” were known as the “sons of thunder”, and now because of their relationship with Jesus, “James” was put to death. He and “John” desired to be seated on the left and right hand of Jesus in His Kingdom, (See Matthew 20:21 and Mark 10:37), and now we see the significance of their desire being played out. God's Kingdom is “eternal”, and His plan is for people to be in a personal relationship with Him for all eternity. Life with Jesus goes beyond this physical life, and although “Herod” could kill the physical body of “James”, he could not destroy his spirit. Anyone who yields their life to Jesus will find His words to be true, “I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believes in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:” (See John 11:25), and “James” is alive and with Jesus to this day.
Next time we see Luke share how, “Peter therefore was kept in prison”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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