James and John, Sons of Thunder

“And He went up on the mountain and called to Him those He Himself wanted. And they came to Him. Then He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach, and to have power to heal sicknesses and to cast out demons.
…James, the son of Zebedee and John the brother of James, to whom he gave the name ‘Boanerges,’ that is, ‘Sons of Thunder.’ “ –Mark 3:13-15, 19 [NKJV]

What an exciting time it must have been for the disciples as they were called, one by one or two by two, and then confirmed, together on the mountain as Jesus made clearer His mission for them: First, and foremost, they were to be with Him. What better calling than to follow Jesus, to hear Him teach, to be present as He performed miracles, to listen as He confounded the religious leaders and got to the root of hypocrisy. Tied in very closely with the disciples’ followship to become a part of the Messiah’s Kingdom on earth, they had to suffer as He was arrested, accused, crucified and buried. Then they were encouraged by his post-resurrection appearances to them, and his reassignment of their mission at the time of his ascension.

Jesus had work in mind for the disciples to do. He would send them out to preach. They were not to take provisions for their journey but were to go in faith. And if they were not received, they were to shake the dust of the towns from their sandals as they left. They, like Jesus the Master, were given power to heal sicknesses and to cast out demons. Sometimes their faith was not strong enough for the tasks at hand. Jesus had to tell them that victory comes only by prayer and fasting. They were learning to be dependent on Jesus, to rely solely on God, not on their own powers.

And then the two former fishermen, James and John, sons of Zebedee who owned his own fishing boat (maybe even a fleet) on the Sea of Galilee, were privileged, along with Peter, to be in the “inner circle” of Jesus’ disciples. They were present on the Mount of Transfiguration (Mt. 17:1). They saw Jairus’ daughter raised from the dead (Mark 5:37). They were asked to go farther into the Garden of Gethsemane the night of Jesus’ agony to “watch and pray.” But, alas, like we often do on a responsible job, they fell asleep and failed in that assignment from Christ.

“You are “Boanerges,” Sons of Thunder.” Jesus did not explain. Was it because He had observed a thunderous temperament in these brothers? Was it because Jesus had heard them talking in the group and knew that their voices carried above the others? It is hard for us to think of any of the other disciples topping Peter in impetuous speech and quick-on-the-draw responses. Or could it be that these two (their mother included) sought a place of honor in the coming Kingdom? Jesus could only promise them a place in His suffering. And indeed, James was one of the first disciples to be martyred by Herod (Acts 12:1-2).

On the other hand, John, brother of James, became known as “the beloved disciple,” and was given the privilege by Jesus on the cross of taking care of Mary, mother of Jesus. Most biblical scholars agree that John was active in the early church, in mission work, and especially in writing. The gospel of John, the three epistles of John and the Revelation all came from holy inspiration and the pen of John. John, too, was martyred for his faith. Tradition holds that the Romans tried to boil him in a pot of hot oil but he miraculously escaped to the Isle of Patmos where he, as an old man of 90, had to work in the mines. It was there, before his death, that he wrote the Revelation, that great apocryphal book with so many truths to ponder over concerning the last times.

Prayer. We may not be like thunder, Lord. But use the qualities we have as we gladly follow You and do the work You have for us to accomplish.

c Ethelene Dyer Jones; Sunday, March 7, 2010