During this week we remember Saint James, sometimes known as St James the Great. James was one of the first disciples to follow Jesus and was the brother of John (not John the Baptist). James died by being put to the sword by Herod Agrippa, thought to be in the year 44CE (or AD). Herod Agrippa thought that he could stop the spread of the good news about Jesus by killing off the leaders of this ‘new’ following. As we know, it didn’t have that effect and Christianity grew very quickly across the world beginning with that part of Asia Minor.
If something is true and right, you cannot kill it off by taking away those who are believers, as the cause will stay around. One of my favourite films is “633 Squadron”; in that film the commander states that even though all the men were killed on a daring raid, “You cannot kill a squadron”. The name or the number of the squadron will live on even when all its members are all dead – the records will show of its existence.
I believe the same of Christianity, that you might want to kill off those who believe, but Christianity will never die. Perhaps we think that our churches are not as full as they once were, but the name of Jesus Christ will be there for ever and ever. The important part is that we keep spreading the message of Good News that Jesus Christ brings to everyone. Our churches may not be full every week, but for those who believe and are faithful we need to be firm in our belief and not be disheartened by the lack of numbers. Paul in his second letter to the church in Corinth says, “Therefore, since it is by God’s mercy that we are engaged in this ministry, we do not lose heart.” I hope that we can keep going, and continue to say we are all loved by God, and Jesus died that our sins might be forgiven.
With God’s Blessing
Rev Graham
