Note: This is a study from the book 12 Ordinary Men by John McArthur an excellent book. There is also a fill in the blank outline from Adult Bible Fellowships of First Baptist Church Orion that I have posted in the series. This is not original but worth posting for study.
Description: This is a study of James based on 12 Ordinary Men. It has a lot of added notes and scripture.
Twelve Ordinary Men
James, Simon, and Judas
Luke 6:15-16 Matthew and Thomas; James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called the Zealot; (16) Judas the son of James . . .
Introduction
We have four apostles left that we will look at. Tonight we will deal with the first three in the last group James, Simon and Judas. Next week we will deal with probably one of the most famous of the apostles Judas.
There is little said about these. What we will derive from them is more about their position in the listing and from their names themselves. Again we must not make light of the names of the individual because this often times defined their personalty or at least what family they were from.
I think it is interesting that each one of these have some kind of designation after their name. Why? Well mainly to distinguish themselves from the other apostles. They were so "lesser known" that they had to have this designation so people could know who they were. Almost as if "so and so the little brother of . . . "
I don’t mean this to take away from who they were. I believe it shows us even more of their commitment to Christ. It was not about fame or recognition; it was not about a title it was about being committed to the Messiah. Even unto death. Another common characteristics of them all is that they died a martyrs death.
John describes and event in John 6:54 - 69 that shows who these apostles were.
John 6:54-69 Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. (55) For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed. (56) He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. (57) As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who feeds on Me will live because of Me. (58) This is the bread which came down from heaven--not as your fathers ate the manna, and are dead. He who eats this bread will live forever." (59) These things He said in the synagogue as He taught in Capernaum. (60) Therefore many of His disciples, when they heard this, said, "This is a hard saying; who can understand it?" (61) When Jesus knew in Himself that His disciples complained about this, He said to them, "Does this offend you? (62) What then if you should see the Son of Man ascend where He was before? (63) It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. (64) But there are some of you who do not believe." For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who would betray Him. (65) And He said, "Therefore I have said to you that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father." (66) From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more. (67) Then Jesus said to the twelve, "Do you also want to go away?" (68) But Simon Peter answered Him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. (69) Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."
Mat 10:22 And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved.
It is interesting that in the gospels themselves these men are not portrayed as heroes. It may have been because two (Matthew & John) were written by fellow apostles and the other two (Luke & Mark) were close friends. What we see more is their weaknesses more than their strengths.
We also notice that they really never did record the great things they did. Well there is the sending out by twos and they saw miracles and demons cast out at their hands, yet Jesus used this as a lesson to teach them about their own personal inflection.
Luke 10:17-20 Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name." (18) And He said to them, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. (19) Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. (20) Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven."
In one of the attempt we see them trying to pray for a young boy who was demon possessed, which was a failure.
Matthew 17:14-21 And when they had come to the multitude, a man came to Him, kneeling down to Him and saying, (15) "Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is an epileptic and suffers severely; for he often falls into the fire and often into the water. (16) So I brought him to Your disciples, but they could not cure him." (17) Then Jesus answered and said, "O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him here to Me." (18) And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him; and the child was cured from that very hour. (19) Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, "Why could we not cast it out?" (20) So Jesus said to them, "Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ’Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. (21) However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting."
When they really came unto their own and saw the miracles
Acts 5:12 And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people.
When they really came unto their own and saw the miracles is found after the death and resurrection of Christ and the Holy Spirit being poured out.
So what is their legacy today?
Mainly it is what we are doing week end and week out. It is the living breathing organism we call the church. It church is not a monument set forth to remember what Jesus did it is a movement sent forth to share with the world what Jesus is doing.
This is what we see in these apostles.
I. James the Less or “Little James”
There are several men who were named James in the New Testament. We have already met one early who is called James the son of Zebedee. We also see there was James, the son of Mary and Joseph and the half-brother of Jesus (Galatians 1:19). Although it doesn’t seem that he was a believer to after the resurrection he became a leader in the church (Acts 15:13-21).
a. The New Testament only tells us four things about this man that are for certain: his name was James, he
was the son of Alphaeus and Mary (According Matthew 27:56 & Mark 15:47 she had another son named Joses,
he was also a follower of Jesus although not named among the apostles. Mary was a devoted follower who was
an eyewitness to the crucifixion and prepared Jesus’ body for burial. Mark 16:1) , his nickname was the less, and
he was an apostle.
Theories about the name James the less.
1) Stature. A small man
2) Age. He could have been a young man, maybe the youngest of the apostles.
3) Influence.
Heb 11:33-38 who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, (34) quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. (35) Women received their dead raised to life again. And others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. (36) Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. (37) They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, [55] were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented-- (38) of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth.
b. An interesting possibility: Mark 2:14 says that Levi (Matthew) was also the son of Alphaeus. It is
possible that the Zebedee brothers and the Jonas brothers were joined by the Alphaeus brothers.
c. Another interesting possibility: By comparing Mark 15:40 with John 19:25, it appears that Mary, the wife of
Clopas and mother of James the less, was the sister of Mary the mother Jesus. This would make James the less
one of Jesus’ cousin.
Early church history is mostly silent about this man named James. Some of the earliest legends about him
confuse him with James the brother of the Lord. There is some evidence that James the Less took the
gospel to Syria and Persia. Accounts of his death differ. Some say he was stoned; others say he was beaten
to death; still others say he was crucified like his Lord.
In any case, we can be certain that he became a powerful preacher like the others. He surely performed “the
signs of an apostle… in signs and wonders and mighty deeds” (2 Corinthians 12:12). And his name will be
inscribed on one of the gates of the heavenly city.
II. Simon the Zealot
a. Simon was apparently at one time a member of the political party known as the Zealots. (In Matthew 10:4 &
Mark 10:14 he is referred to as Simon the Cananite, this is not about where he is from but the word here is
translated as zealous. This says a lot about his temperament as he was probably fiery and zealous. Very vocal
about his beliefs and political views.
b. The historian Josephus described four basic parties of the Jews at that time. The Pharisees were the
religious fundamentalists of their time. The Sadducees were the religious liberals who denied the
resurrection. The Essenes are not mentioned in Scripture but were very much like medieval monks (lived to
themselves, they are known as preservers of the ancient scriptures). The Zealots hated the Romans and
advanced their agenda primarily through terrorism and acts of violence.
The zealots had a different philosophy about how to fix the government. Where as the Pharisees and Sadducees were use to compromise the Zealots had no compromise. As history shows they did not mind succumbing to violence to get their point across.
This is probably one of reasons that Simeon and maybe Judas Iscariot followed Jesus. They were expecting a revolution.
c. When Jesus sent the disciples out two by two in Mark 6:7, it is likely that Simon and Judas Iscariot were a
team. They probably both originally followed Christ for similar political reasons. But Simon became
a genuine believer and was transformed. Judas never believed.
It seems that most of the apostles had a misunderstanding, at least at the beginning, of the purpose of Jesus coming. They knew he was the Messiah but wasn’t sure how he would "restore the kingdom". When James and John approached Jesus about being beside him on the throne they were expecting something to happen soon and the new rule of government would be led by Jesus, with their help of course.
d. One of the sorest spots with Zealots was the issue of taxes. Yet Simon learned to serve alongside
Matthew the tax collector.
This shows the change that Christ makes. There was a higher purpose and call. Christ can help one overcome their prejudices in life. He can let us sit at the table with our enemies.
Several early sources say that after the destruction of Jerusalem, Simon took the gospel north and preached
in the British Isles. All accounts say he was killed for preaching the gospel. This man who was once willing
to kill or be killed for a political agenda within the confines of Judea found a more fruitful cause for which
to give his life – in the proclamation of salvation for sinners out of every nation, tongue, and tribe.
III. Judas, son of James
Judas means "Jehovah leads". It is amazing how this name that has such beauty has been scared for history because of the treacherous act of Judas Iscariot.
a. Jerome referred to him as “Trinomious” – the man with three names.
b. Luke calls him Judas, son of James and John refers to him as “Judas (not Iscariot).”
c. Mark calls him Thaddaeus (lit. breast child) and Matthew says that he was “Labbaeus
(lit. heart child) also called Thaddaeus.”
d. So Judas was given two nicknames which both basically meant “momma’s boy” and suggest that he had a
tender, childlike heart.
This shows the myriad of personalities that made up these men. Here is one that seems to be out of place yet I believe that Jesus put these men together so that 1) they could learn from one another 2) they could balance out each other’s person’s will, "A man left to his own demise
It is interesting to think of such a gentle soul hanging around in the same group of four apostles as Simon the
zealot and Judas the betrayer.
e. In John 14:21-23, we have the only words of Judas Lebbaeus Thaddaeus to be found in Scripture. His question
is full of gentleness and meekness, and devoid of any kind of pride.
John 14:20-31 At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you. (21) He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him." (22) Judas (not Iscariot) said to Him, "Lord, how is it that You will manifest Yourself to us, and not to the world?"
The gentle heart of Judas would have been hurt if the whole world did not have a chance to know this Messiah.
(23) Jesus answered and said to him, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. (24) He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me.
In other words anybody who is open can receive of the father.
(25) "These things I have spoken to you while being present with you. (26) But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. (27) Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. (28) You have heard Me say to you, ’I am going away and coming back to you.’ If you loved Me, you would rejoice because I said, ’I am going to the Father,’ for My Father is greater than I. (29) And now I have told you before it comes, that when it does come to pass, you may believe. (30) I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming, and he has nothing in Me. (31) But that the world may know that I love the Father, and as the Father gave Me commandment, so I do. Arise, let us go from here.
Most of the early tradition regarding Lebbaeus Thaddaeus suggests that a few years after Pentecost, he took the gospel north, to Edessa, a royal city in Mesopotamia, in the region of Turkey today. There are numerous ancient accounts of how he healed the king of Edessa, a man names Abgar. In the fourth century, Eusebius the historian said the archives at Edessa (now destroyed) contained full records of Thaddaeus’s visit and the healing of Abgar. The traditional apostolic symbol of Judas Lebbaeus Thaddaeus is a club, because tradition says he was clubbed to death for his faith.
Thus this tender-hearted soul followed his Lord faithfully to the end. His testimony was as powerful and as
far-reaching as that of the better-known and more outspoken disciples. He, like them, is proof of how God
uses perfectly ordinary people in remarkable ways.
