DRAWING NEAR
MAY 24
Saluting an Unknown Soldier
The twelve apostles included "James the son of Alphaeus" (Matt.
10:3).
Lesson: Like most Christians, James the son of Alphaeus is an unknown
and unsung soldier of the cross. His distinguishing characteristic is
obscurity. Nothing he did or said is recorded in Scripture--only his
name.
In Mark 15:40 he is called "James the Less," which literally means
"Little James." That could refer to his stature (he might have been
short), his age (he might have been younger than James the son of
Zebedee), or his influence (he might have had relatively little
influence among the disciples).
In Mark 2:14 Matthew (Levi) is called the son of Alphaeus. Alphaeus
was a common name, but it's possible that James and Matthew were
brothers, since their fathers had the same first name. Also, James's
mother is mentioned in Mark 15:40 as being present at Christ's
crucifixion, along with other women. She is referred to as the wife
of Clopas in John 19:25. Since Clopas was a form of Alphaeus, that
further supports the possibility that James and Matthew were related.
From those references we might conclude that James was a small young
man whose personality was not particularly powerful. If he was
Matthew's brother, perhaps he was as humble as Matthew, willing to
serve the Lord without any applause or notice. Whichever the case, be
encouraged that God uses obscure people like James, and rewards them
accordingly. Someday James will sit on a throne in Christ's
millennial kingdom, judging the twelve tribes of Israel-- just like
the other more prominent disciples (Luke 22:30).
No matter how obscure or prominent you are from a human perspective,
God can use you and will reward you with a glorious eternal
inheritance.
Suggestions for Prayer:
Thank the Lord for all those people unknown to you whom He has
used to shape your life for His glory. Seek to be more like
James, serving Christ faithfully without applause or glory.
For Further Study:
Read Luke 9:23-25. What did Jesus say is necessary to be His
disciple? Read Luke 9:57-62. What were those men unwilling to
give up to follow Christ?
Drawing Near, Copyright 1993 John F. MacArthur, Jr.
All rights reserved. Used by permission.
http://www.gty.org
~~~
Mark 15:40
40 There were also women looking on from afar, among whom were Mary
Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the Less and of Joses, and Salome
Mark 2:14
14 As He passed by, He saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the
tax office. And He said to him, "Follow Me." So he arose and followed
Him.
John 19:25
25 Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His
mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.
Luke 22:28-30
28 "But you are those who have continued with Me in My trials.
29 "And I bestow upon you a kingdom, just as My Father bestowed one
upon Me,
30 "that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and sit on
thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel."
Luke 9:23-25
23 Then He said to them all, "If anyone desires to come after Me,
let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.
24 "For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever
loses his life for My sake will save it.
25 "For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and
is himself destroyed or lost?
Luke 9:57-62
57 Now it happened as they journeyed on the road, that someone said
to Him, "Lord, I will follow You wherever You go."
58 And Jesus said to him, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air
have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head."
59 Then He said to another, "Follow Me." But he said, "Lord, let me
first go and bury my father."
60 Jesus said to him, "Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go
and preach the kingdom of God."
61 And another also said, "Lord, I will follow You, but let me first
go and bid them farewell who are at my house."
62 But Jesus said to him, "No one, having put his hand to the plow,
and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God."
These devotions are posted with permission from John MacArthur's
first (1993) devotional work, _Drawing Near_, and they are also sent
out daily for free to several folks via e-mail.
In addition, John's second (1997) devotional, _Strength for Today_,
is also available free via e-mail only. _Strength for Today_ follows
the same format as what you have seen here from _Drawing Near_, but
with different monthly themes.
If you would like to receive daily devotions via e-mail from either
of these series, just let me know (via e-mail), and I will gladly add
you to the list(s) of your choice.
You can hear John MacArthur daily via the Internet by visiting:
http://www2.oneplace.com/Ministries/Grace_to_You/
and
http://www.gty.org.uk/
You may email John MacArthur in care of Grace to You at:
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me, please contact me via e-mail for quickest results.
In Christ,
Peter
Peter G. Chase :: Columbus, Ohio, USA
pchase@wowway.com
STOP! Who do you think Jesus is?
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There is a living God. He has spoken in His word. He means just what he says, and will do all that He has promised. - Hudson Taylor
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