James as the oldest brother of Jesus’, would of likely been the lead antagonizer among Jesus’ other brothers. In Mark chapter 3 (as well as all three other gospels), Jesus’ mother and brothers are made to wait outside while Jesus explains who is real mother and brothers are. Hard feelings? My brother would have immediately starting planning on how to take me down a peg. In John chapter 7 it is made plain that Jesus’ brothers did not believe in Him. They were not at this time part of the family of believers, they were true outsiders. In the same chapter Jesus’ brothers taunt him about going to Jerusalem for the feast. Again in Mark chapter 3 Jesus’ family implies that the Savior himself is mad. Wonder who was leading the charge? James would have heard Jesus proclaim that he who calls his brother “racca” or fool is in danger of the fires of hell. He sure would have been at the cross when Jesus told John, not his brothers, to take care of his own mother.
All of these things had to affect James as he became a believer. He would have remembered what he did, hence his emphasis on works by faith. He would have remembered what he said, therefore his emphasis on the tongue. He would have remembered how he doubted, pointing to his emphasis on the “double minded man”.
Don’t forget as you read the epistles to remember the apostles were people also. We are all shaped, forgiven as we may be, by our life experiences. It is a great God who can use those experiences to reach others going through similar circumstances.
