#13 - James The Son of Alphaeus

Mark 2:14 & 3:18

Lebbaeus - Thaddaeus or Judas Son of James, (John 14:22)

Why look at these two apostles together in one lesson? Because they are the only two apostles that we know almost nothing about. We have no words of James recorded, and only one question from Thaddaeus in John 14:22. This puts them together in our thoughts as almost anonymous. Anonymous Christians are everywhere, and if we should feel like we are one of them, these two apostles have much to teach us about God’s use of ordinary unheard of adopted children, Romans 8:14.

James the son of Alphaeus is probably Matthew the tax collector’s little brother, (Mk. 2:14) they both have the same name for their father, and because Mk.15:40 uses the word “less” in reference to him. But we should not relate this to his character or ability because God makes us all one in Jesus Christ, Gal. 3:26-29. Every Christian is equal in importance, love and purpose. The word “less” tells us nothing about his personal character, which reminds us that God doesn’t work with us because of  the kind of family you came from. God is truly most concerned with your discipleship to Him and your fellowship in His spiritual family. He put us all into a more noble and influential family. “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knows not what his lord does: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you” John. 15:13-15. Here we learn, that even the disciple that gets lost in the crowd, is saved by obedience to the Lord. This obedience creates friendship with the Lord of the Universe. This is a relationship worth talking about, even if your considered by onlookers as a ‘nobody’. Remember, when it comes to succeeding at evangelism, the issue of friendship is very attractive. Don’t neglect to boast in your friendship with God as his adopted child. After all, the commonly named James in obscurity has his name written on the foundation of the New Jerusalem, Rv. 21:14. Your name is in the Lamb’s book of life, rejoice in it, Luke 10:20 & Rv. 17:8.

In Jerome’s Latin Vulgate, he calls Thaddaeus, “trinomius”, meaning the man with three names. In Mark he is called Thaddaeus, Mark 3:18., in Matthew he is called Lebbaeus whose surname was Thaddaeus, Mat. 10:3, in Luke he is called as it really should be translated, Judas the son of James, Luke 6:16, Ac. 1:13.

Thaddaeus is only known for his inquisitive spirit, in asking, “how is it that you will manifest yourself unto us, and not unto the world? Jesus answered …If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.  John 14:22-23. Thaddaeus has a problem with publicity, he can’t understand why Jesus won’t make his Messiahship a matter of public power. Jesus wants us to always remember that the way of love is far more beneficial than the way of power. In the way of love, Jesus would be made known to those who obey him. When a person does give Jesus obedience from a loving and thankful heart, him and his Father come to live in their heart. This is because of the presence of the Holy Spirit. He makes the way of love so much better, it can never be a substitute for the way of physical power.

The practical obscurity of James the son of Alphaeus and Thaddaeus, should remind us of the equality, each and every Christian has to the access of power and love in Jesus Christ. This may be one of the many reasons why the Hebrew writer wrote of such valiant faith amoungst the saints in obscurity, (Heb. 11:33-38), quenching fire, escaping the sword, valiant in battle, tortured without deliverance, being sawn in two, left to wander in animal skins, destitute, living in mountains, dens and caves, of whom this world is not worthy, because of the blood of the Lamb, Jesus Christ. It is not because we are well known, influential, or accomplish great tasks by our own standards, but by the blood of the Lamb, these unknown disciples became apostles, and it is only your love for his sacrifice which will properly motivate you to share it’s worth and purpose.