GodReflection: Talking with God.

James, the brother of Jesus, is as incredulous as Saul of Tarsus. Sure, Jesus is my brother, but he is not Messiah. To grow up with a perfect sibling must have been full of frustrations. When Joseph and Mary corrected their son James, surely his own weakness stung while his brother lived without the need of parental reprimand.

In John chapter seven the apostle, and author of the Fourth Gospel, relates the story of Jesus’ return to his hometown where he does God’s amazing works among his own people. The climax of the story comes with a statement of unbelief by his brothers—who include brother James. “Leave Galilee. Go to Judea so that your disciples can see the amazing works that you do. Those who want to be known publicly don’t do things secretly. Since you can do these things, show yourself to the world.” His brothers said this because even they didn’t believe in him (John 7:3-5). The family has a son with a talent to entertain; nothing more.

Now contrast this story of James with an image of him circulated by the first Christians. Hegesippus was a Nazarene, and a Christian writer of the early church, who picks up this James story about James from first disciples and records it in the second century. Then, Eusebius, a fourth-century church historian, includes it in his writing. He shares this description of James, brother of Jesus—now believer no longer sceptic:

He was in the habit of entering alone into the temple and was frequently found upon his knees begging forgiveness for the people, so that his knees became hard like those of a camel, in consequence of his constantly bending them in his worship of God and asking forgiveness for the people. He now revers Jesus, with Father and Spirit.

Where did this praying James come from? Like Saul of Tarsus, brother James saw The Light. Unlike the bright call from the Throne in the Heavens to Saul (Paul) on the Damascus Road, James sees the light of the open tomb.

Once risen, Jesus begins his face-to-face calls in his now alive body to visit relatives and friends. His brother James—after the tomb light—is on the list as one who now believes Jesus is Messiah sent from God. Paul shares some of that list with the church in Corinth.

Christ died for our sins in line with the scriptures, he was buried, and he rose on the third day in line with the scriptures. He appeared to Cephas, then to the Twelve, and then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers and sisters at once—most of them are still alive to this day, though some have died. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me, as if I were born at the wrong time (1 Corinthians 15: 3-8). 

That encounter caught the attention of Jesus’ little brother James. By the time we reach Acts chapter twelve we find brother James in the company of the apostles Peter and John (Galatians 1&2) as primary leaders of the Jerusalem church.

All the above serves as the backstory to my question, can “old camel knees” teach me how to talk with God? For the answer I turn to a letter “old camel knees” writes to the churches of both his day and ours. We know it as the Letter of James.

Jesus’ praying brother gives me seven insights to encourage me and to ease any hesitation I might have to begin a conversation with Holy God.

• From its first words (James 1:5-8) he teaches me to be alert. God is ready to help. I am to talk with God when I don’t know what I am doing. Such occasions are far too frequent. I need not hesitate there is never fear in asking. He loves to listen.
• In a latter part of the letter (James 4:2-3) once again he tells me when I lack something in life, EITHER I haven’t asked, OR my motives are false. I suspect lottery millions and the pitch of the latest luxury items fall into this category. Once again, I see that my conversation must be genuine and not self-centered.

I find the last five insights in what we call the closing chapter of James’ letter (James 5: 13-18).

• When I hurt prayer is appropriate. Who is going to care more than God? In our home, and especially as we find ourselves in our senior years, to mention our aches, pains and hurts to each other enters into our daily conversation. Should a hurt come from a third party we talk to each other to ease the pain. It is because we love and care for each other that we share pain and seek comfort. As helpful as that is, doesn’t it make even more sense to talk about my hurts with my Father Creator?
• I can sing a prayer. James tells me “Do you feel great—sing a song”. Yes, God loves to hear us talk to him through our songs.
• When I am sick is also a good time to talk with God. It is appropriate to call God’s servants together to pray on our behalf. James advocates this for both physical and spiritual sickness. Are you sick? Believing-prayer will heal you, and Jesus will put you on your feet. And if you’ve sinned, you’ll be forgiven—healed inside and out (The Message, James 5:14-15).
• God likes for me to admit my sin and to hear me speak-up for fellow believers in their struggles. To confess sins with other Jesus-followers; then for us to go to our knees on behalf of each other is a conversation God invites (James 5:16). 
• I learn the prayer of a person living right with God is something powerful to be reckoned with (The Message, James 5:16).

Have you looked at your knees lately?  When I examine my knees, I find them far too smooth—no calluses to be found. I suspect “Old Camel Knees” has something to teach each of us about how to talk with God. And then–just as my guilt trip begins–I remember a friend who is closer than a brother who lives within. His knees–bent but not broken–are tough as those of a camel. Those knees kneel in prayer constantly on my behalf to assure my continual communication with The Holy. May The Holy transform my knees to more resemble those of James and Jesus.

Stay tuned.

Dr. Gary J. Sorrells

A GodReflection, Can “Old Camel Knees” Teach Me How To Talk With God?

Gary@GreatCities.org  

WWW.GodReflectionblog.wordpress.com

www.MakeYourVisionGoViral.com