The Older Wiser Loving Brother

James 1:2-12
My brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but joy, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance; and let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing. If any of you is lacking in wisdom, ask God, who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and it will be given you. But ask in faith, never doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind; … [12] Blessed is anyone who endures temptation. Such a one has stood the test and will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

The author of the book of James is generally accepted to be one of the half-brothers of Jesus. I have often wondered what it would be like to have Jesus as an older brother. I have even prayed for my Lord to play a short movie clip in my head, an amusing outtake, anything of the 16-year period we only know of as "And Jesus increased in wisdom and in years, and in divine and human favor" from Luke 2:52. To no avail. Apparently the details of this period of His life are on a need-to-know basis, and I don't need to know.

But I still muse. What would it be like to work along side him on the job site. My older brother never needs to measure twice. He never hits his thumb with the hammer so is never tempted to take the name of His Father in vain. His doors always fit perfectly in their frames. My brothers and I can't even tease Him, make fun of Him, criticize His work, or scheme against Him. It's no fun! He is always deflecting our jabs with love and understanding. We can't even lie to Mom about Him. Mary always knows Jesus is right.

"Mom, Jesus is picking on us."

"No he's not. Get back to your chores."

Grrr. My brothers and I grow to resent Him.

James was converted by an unexpected visit from his resurrected brother. He went on to preach the Gospel in Jerusalem and died a martyr. He was pushed from the very pinnacle of the Temple on which the devil placed his older brother many years earlier and tempted him to jump.

Reading this chapter in that context I hear a whole new message. I hear echoes of the Sermon on the Mount. I hear James using images from nature just like his brother did. Surely James had been in dark places, tempting places, and found his brother right there helping him up and offering reassuring words of wisdom. And I hear him teaching me that whether my times of trial come from God, or from the brokenness of the people around me, or from my own stupidity, it doesn't really matter. The testing of my faith is a good thing. It produces patience, resilience, resolve, endurance. It is during these times that I scream so loudly, "Jesus, why is this happening to me?" It is during these times that my lack of wisdom is so profound and my "self" so beaten and silent that I can hear the generous voice of His wisdom behind all my tears and sobbing. It is during those times that I am driven forcibly to my knees in prayer.

It is then that I realize that He is right here beside me in my darkness. His voice reassures me. His voice strengthens my faith. He helps me up, encourages me to drop some more unneeded baggage, and points me toward the distant light. The crown of a new life in Him awaits me. Part of the "old me" is left back there in the cave to rot. Part of the "new me" has grown to love Him even more.