James, the son of Alphaeus: an example of how working in the background is still working for the Kingdom of God

James, the son of Alphaeus, is a quiet disciple. There is not much said about him in the gospels. There is no record of his occupation or any characteristics. The major event of his life is becoming a disciple of Jesus and there is no record of Jesus saying anything specific about him. Does that mean he is not worthy of study? By no means. He is an example that God calls us all for a purpose. Some have great and public purposes like Peter. While others are called to have great and private purposes like James. Who was James in the gospels? What example does James give us? What does it mean to be called to service God?

The only time James is mentioned by name is the lists of the disciples (Matthew 10:3, Mark 3:18, Luke 6:15, Acts 1:13). However, there is some information we can gather about him. While his hometown is unknown, he was likely from Galilee and most likely spoke Aramaic as well as Greek and biblical Hebrew (Tate, 2021). He was probably in his late teens but no older than early 20s (Tate, 2021). While he is not mentioned outside of the list of disciples, he was present during Jesus’s teachings. He saw his miracles and was sent out to preach, baptize and perform miracles (Matthew 10, Mark 6:7:13), Luke 9:1-6). He fled at Jesus’s arrest. He saw the resurrected Christ and was given the Great Commission (Matthew 28:16-20, Mark 16:15-18). James was there to witness Jesus’s ascension into heaven (Mark 16:19:20, Luke 24:50-53, Acts 1:9). And James is there as the disciples begin their mission in Acts. 

James is our example of someone who worked for the kingdom of God without the limelight. He was so quiet and observant that he is not written about in the Scriptures and becomes obscure in the early church. However, James is proof that we do not have to be Peters or Matthews or Johns and go down in history as the greatest for God. We are all given different gifts from the same Spirit, different acts of service but the same Lord (1 Corinthians 12:4-6). There is one body, many parts with each part having an important function for the church (1 Corinthians 12:12-27). No member is superior over another and there is a unity in the diverse functions (verse 25). As someone who is more introverted, being a public speaker is terrifying. I feel God has called me to use my talents in a private setting and use my research and writing skills for his kingdom. My desire to study the Bible and write about the lessons and insights I have learned and write about them on this blog can be used to bring God’s Word to individuals across the country and maybe even the world. 

Many people think being called is to work in a church ministry. However, our ministry does not need to be a church. Our calling is to use our gifts and talents for the kingdom out in the real world. For example, if you are a cashier at a local retail store, you can still be a steward for the kingdom of God. 1 Peter 4:10 says to “use whatever gift he has received to service others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.” We can also look for opportunities, big and small, to use our gifts to make a difference. For example, if you are a good baker, you can bake a welcome gift to a new neighbor. Or if someone is sick or injured, offer your services to help. The important thing to remember is to put faithfulness first. “Faithfully give what you have to God, and let him take care of the rest” (Barnett, 2021). Remember we are working for God so that God may be glorified (1 Peter 4:11). Colossians 3:23 tells us that “whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.” 

In conclusion, the silence of James, the son of Alphaeus, is an example to us that we can work in the background and still do good work for the kingdom of God. We are called according to God’s purpose and given gifts to use in the kingdom. We can serve God and the kingdom in every moment of every ordinary day. Look for opportunities to serve as Jesus served. You never know how an act of kindness or service can open the door to share the gospel. Whether it is serving in the limelight or quietly in the background, our impact for the kingdom of God can be greater than we will ever know or imagine. 

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References

Barnett, Tim (July 29, 2021). Looking for Your Role in God’s Kingdom? Start Here. Stand to Reason. https://www.str.org/w/looking-for-your-role-in-god-s-kingdom-start-here. Retrieved September 10, 2025

Tate, David (November 7, 2021). The Life of James, son of Alpheus. Now Let’s Be Honest. YouTube video. https://youtu.be/JMUHwd_y0G4?si=wB67mSYaUgKaFC8V. Retrieved September 2, 2025.

Salome: a mother who sought greatness for her sons and got a lesson in service

Salome was the mother of the Zebedees. John and James were called the Sons of Thunder by Jesus and were two of the three chosen to accompany him on the mountain during the Transfiguration. Her husband and sons operated a prosperous fishing business when Jesus called John and James to join his ministry. She became a devoted follower of Christ. She held the common misconception that the Messiah would drive out the Romans and establish a literal kingdom. Salome would stand with other women at the foot of the cross and witness the horrific death of Jesus. She would also be among the women to hear the good news of the resurrection from the angel at the tomb. However, people know her story as the mother who requested special favors for her sons and received a lesson in what it truly means to be great. 

Knowing that Jesus had nicknamed her sons, the Sons of Thunder, that he had seen greatness in John and James. Why else would they be included in his inner circle with Simon Peter? Jesus had even taken them up the mountain and she had seen their faces when they returned. She had heard their stories about the event on the mountain. Salome then took the opportunity to ask for a special request. She begged Jesus to allow her sons to sit at his side in his kingdom. While Salome was probably thinking she was asking for what she thought would make her sons happy, she did not truly understand the gravity of her request. Jesus’s reply is a lesson on what it means to be great in his kingdom. Later, she would be at the foot of the cross and watch in horror as Jesus breathed his last. Did she remember her request? Did she finally understand what Jesus meant? Did she think about her sons’ futures in horror? Whatever sadness and grief she felt that day would be replaced with joy as she would be among the group of women to hear the angel’s proclamation of the Resurrection. 

Mothers are held in high regard in the Scriptures. While a woman, as a wife, answers to her husband, the rest of the household answers to her. Her primary duty was to produce and care for the children. A mother generally nursed her children for three years and totally cared for at least six years. It would be then that the children would join in helping with either the family business, as sons would join their father in the fields or a trade, and daughters would join their mother with the household tasks. Given the importance of mothers to a child’s early years, it makes sense that Salome still saw it as her role to help promote her sons. A bit misguided? Probably. She could be described as a bulldozer mom. Everyone knows a helicopter mom but do you know a bulldozer mom? According to Sharon Wilharm, a bulldozer mom is a mom who wants the best for their child and will do whatever it takes to make it happen (2021). Instead of encouraging John and James to seek a place of importance in the kingdom, she went straight to Jesus herself. What was wrong with her request? 

Jesus would point out that she did not know what she was asking (Matthew 20:22). He tells her and his disciples that they will suffer as he will (Matthew 20:23) and he gives the lesson to those who want to be great. Simply to be first you must serve. To lower yourself to serve and not to be served (Matthew 20:25-28). He teaches the true meaning of greatness: to serve. Servanthood has been vilified in our culture as very unhealthy, especially women as wives and mothers. However, both men and women are called to model Christ and serve others. The rewards we received in heaven will not be favors. They are given to those who maintained their commitment to Jesus in spite of severe trials. Severe trials could be the loss of friends, family, jobs even the loss of our very lives as we sustain and nurture our commitment to Jesus. Humbling oneself to serve others is not a form of low self-esteem or unworthiness. It is a sign of great love. The greatness of a person among us is the servant to all. When you serve others in big and small ways, you serve Jesus. 

In conclusion, Salome’s story is about a mother and a request and a lesson about what it means to be great. Salome was a mother who saw her sons in a place of importance and she decided to insure their important place. As a mother who saw what she thought would be good for her sons and tried to put a plan into motion, she became a lesson to parents everywhere that eventually our children must put their dreams, ambitions and plans into motion without our unsolicited help. But there is a more important lesson in Salome’s story. Heavenly rewards are not granted, they are earned. When you are persecuted for Jesus, you will reap rewards in heaven (Matthew 5:12). It is a reminder that even when service to others may be overlooked and unappreciated by them, it is not overlooked and unappreciated by Him. 

References

Wilharm, Sharon (2021). Salome Mother of James and John. Sharon Wilharm.com. https://sharonwilharm.com/salome-mother-of-james-and-john/ Retrieved November 19, 2023.