Biography - James

James, the half brother of Jesus (Matt. 13:55-56) was originally skeptical towards Jesus' claims that He was the Messiah.  But after Jesus crucifixion, James witnessed the resurrected Savior and became a believer (1 Cor. 15:7). 

AN UNUSUALLY GOOD MAN

Tradition says James was a humble and unusually good man and was surnamed "the Just".  It's said that he spent so much time on his knees in prayer that they became hard an callous like a camel's knees! 
He was very influential in the early Church and was head of the Church of Jerusalem.  Peter reported to him after being released from prison (Acts 12:17) and even Paul went to him for advice (Acts 21:18-26).  He is the author of the Book of James. A book that has been compared to Proverbs and the Sermon on the Mount due to its simplicity and practical advice.

THE STORY OF HIS MARTYRDOM

Halley's Bible Handbook (which takes this account from the historians Josephus and Hegesippus) tells the story of James martyrdom.  According to tradition, James was brought before the Scribes and Pharisees and commanded to proclaim from one of the galleries that Jesus was not the Messiah.  Instead James cried out that Jesus was the Son of God and the Judge of the world!  Enraged, his enemies through him to the ground and stoned him to death.  While he was dying, James prayed, "Father, forgive them, they know not what they do."

WHAT WE LEARN FROM JAMES

The lessons we learn from James comes from the book he wrote. In James 1:22 he says, "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves.  Do what it says."  He goes on to teach about genuine faith (James 2) and controlling the tongue (James 3), true wisdom (James 3:13-18), and submitting ourselves to God (James 4).  Lessons that are as important today as they were when they were written nearly 2000 years ago.