Somewhere in the city of Jerusalem on a rooftop just a few years after the ascension of Jesus and the outpouring of the Spirit on Pentecost. . .
“. . . and just when are you guys going to live up to your ‘Sons of Thunder’ reputation? Huh? A lot of us are wondering about you two.” With that, the young man spit on the ground, turned away from James and John, climbed down the ladder, and stalked down the street toward the old city.
James turned from watching the man and looked at his brother John. This was not the first time he saw that expression on John’s face. What was it? Bewilderment mixed with sadness maybe, but then too a hint of fear. James empathized. For months now they have been hearing similar angry speeches. The younger men especially were given to reacting to the persecution with a show of strength, even force. Every apostle in Jerusalem had been approached with similar proposals. But now the situation appeared to have gotten worse. This man had reported on recent activity that crossed the line. He actually urged John and James to join with the violent resistance.
James was the first to speak, “John, do you think his report is credible? Or might he have been exaggerating in an attempt to get us to join the cause, so to speak? What do you think?”
John said, “Well, I don’t think he’s making it up. Perhaps he’s embellished the incident somewhat, but I’ve heard similar stories this week from other brothers who’ve been driven out of Jerusalem.”
“Wait. Similar stories?” James asked. “Do you mean different accounts of this one incident or similar incidents in different places?
“The latter, James. Many of the brothers are losing patience. They tell me that they are no longer able to control angry disciples. I guess we should have seen this coming. As you know, since Jesus’ disciples were driven out of Jerusalem last year there has been a steady deterioration of order in our assemblies. . . Look, James, here comes brother Matthew, Peter, and Peter’s deacon Mark. They don’t look very happy.”
James went to the ladder and called for the three to come up. After arranging a few more cushions for their friends to recline with them, John called down to his wife and asked if there was an extra bottle of wine downstairs for the five of them. She said there wasn’t, but that she would send Joseph down to the market before it closed to purchase a bottle of that wonderful vintage port from the Negev. “Thank you, dear,” James said.
James then turned toward the three visitors. “Why the dour looks, brothers?”
Matthew (Levi) spoke first. “You would think that as my account of our Lord’s life circulates that disciples would connect the dots with their own situation. But I don’t see it happening. The brothers that do see the connection are being drowned out with these loudmouth young wannabes who counsel violent action against our persecutors.”
James held up his hands and said, “Violent action? You’ve heard about it, too? We just heard a report from a brother who claims it has moved beyond mere talk. That the angry speeches are stirring up real violence against the Jerusalem authorities. John just now tells me that he’s heard similar reports. I can see from your expressions that it must be true.”
Peter said, “Yes, it’s awful. In Bethel the servant of an agent of the Sanhedrin on a mission to find disciples of Jesus has been killed. I don’t know all the details. But the reliable word on the street is that the deed was done by a band of disciples that are being described as zealots.”
“We’ve also heard,” Mark added, “that some brothers are cursing the persecutors in their assemblies and privately organizing bands of men bound by oaths to establish the righteous rule of Jesus. What a mess.”
Everyone was quiet for a while. Then Peter spoke up.
“Too many brothers apparently believe that the success of the Lord Jesus’ cause must be measured as our apostate Jewish nation measures success. The logic runs something like this: If an assembly of disciples has no political influence or power, no material wealth or visible signs of prosperity, then how can they claim to be the Messiah’s new people? So they mimic their rich, violent persecutors and think that by responding in kind they will prevail.”
James said, “But this kind of attitude and behavior is diametrically opposed to the way of our Lord Jesus! If we disciples are going to covet the power and wealth of apostate Jerusalem, then we may as well just become pagan Romans. After all, Jerusalem simply mimics Rome these days. Can’t the brothers at least discern what’s going on? Such pride will cause the Lord’s judgment to fall on us, not just Jerusalem and Rome. Friendship with the world is enmity with God!”
Peter said, “So we are all feeling the same way, I see. This must be a sign to us from the Spirit that something needs to be done.”
“I agree,” said Matthew. “Remember how we came to a consensus about this when I was commissioned to write my account of Jesus’ ministry?” Everyone nodded. “Okay. I believe we need to write something to the scattered disciples now, specifically to our brothers who are shepherding the assemblies that have been formed outside of Jerusalem since the persecution and dispersion. Do you men agree?”
Peter: “Yes, Matthew, I believe this is exactly the right thing to do. And since your account of our Lord’s ministry is now being copied and circulated, the new work ought to draw out the implications of our Lord’s life and teaching for the persecuted church. People should be able to see the connection between Matthew’s account and this new work’s presentation of proper behavior for disciples of Jesus. Does everyone agree?”
John said, “Yes, I think the Spirit is moving us in precisely that direction. May I add something to the discussion?” Everyone paused to listen to John. “Good, thank you. This work ought to be a circular letter written to our brothers, the pastors and leaders of the persecuted assemblies. Every disciple will be able to learn from it, of course, but if we write the leaders and ask them to read and explain it to their people, we will be addressing the source of the most of our problems. These brothers are supposed to be mature, able to lead their people with meekness and mercy. They seem to want to rule like the Gentiles. Someone needs to remind them of the royal instruction given by our Lord in his mountainside sermon! If we want to continue to reign with the Lord Jesus, we better start acting like true kings and leave off imitating apostate Jewish blowhards and pagan Roman warmongers.”
Peter: “Good idea, John. We need to make sure that this concern for how the brothers lead the congregations by means of their words is at the heart our exhortation. Words are powerful, but words will not save us. Our Lord told us ‘wisdom is justified by her works.’ We need to make sure that our appointed teachers understand this.”
“Speaking of words,” James interjected, “I would like to see us address the true heart and soul of faithful Christian piety during this time of affliction—caring for the needy, especially widows and orphans. The apostate Jewish authorities have imprisoned and even executed too many of our men, leaving behind their wives and children. Taking care of them now is our greatest need. But the churches are being sidetracked from this by focusing on bringing down our persecutors. Stephen was a great example of how to address our enemies with faithful arguments, but also take care of the widows and needy. But I think that some bigmouths think that Stephen death proved his ministry was ineffective. They don’t seem to remember that Stephen was following in the footsteps of our Lord. Both Jesus and Stephen were murdered by envious Jewish rulers whose own failures were illuminated by Jesus’ and Stephen’s righteous service to the poor. Our people can talk about faith all they want, but putting one’s faith in Jesus means doing the kinds of works Jesus did. Stephen understood and practiced that. Perhaps we need to remind everyone of the uselessness of empty talk, even empty confessions of faith.”
“Well, men, do we have anyone more passionately concerned about this than our brother James?” Peter asked. “I think not. After hearing James speak, I believe it is especially appropriate that James write this pastoral letter given that he now functions as the chief pastor of the assemblies in Jerusalem. Most of the men and congregations that have been displaced last year were under his shepherding care. It only makes sense to have him write these brothers. What do you all think?”
Everyone nodded vigorously, while James looked a bit apprehensive. “I’ll need your help, men. For I’ll need to avoid just the kind of angry speech that I wish to warn the brothers against. This is an honor, but I don’t feel up to it.”
Peter then got to his feet and motioned everyone to gather around James. They did so, laying hands on him, and praying fervently. Peter petitioned the Lord to grant them all humility and patience in the midst of these great trials. He prayed that they would have the grace to count even these tribulations as blessings.
Mark prayed that the Lord would judge those apostate Jewish leaders who failed to honor the apostles and disciples of the Messiah. He prayed that the cries of the laborers that were sent to harvest the fields of Israel would reach the Lord of armies and that he would act swiftly to bring in the reign of righteousness he promised.
Matthew prayed that the disciples of the Messiah would remember the suffering and patience of the prophets, and that the Lord would reward their steadfast faith with the harvest of righteousness they all longed for.
Finally, John prayed for his brother, that God would grant that through his words many who are wandering from the truth might be rescued and that this pastoral letter might be the means whereby the Lord would cover a multitude of sins.
When they had finished praying, James got up from his knees and saw his son Joseph standing by the ladder with the promised bottle of wine. After everyone had a glass, he raised his cup and blessed the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Everyone shouted amen. They enjoyed each other’s company for a little while longer, but James’s mind was already busy with the letter he would begin to write early the next morning. He kept hearing the prayers that were spoken over him a few moments ago. His letter was taking shape in his mind.
Jeff Meyers is pastor of Providence Reformed Presbyterian Church in St. Louis.