James 1:1

This is my first day doing my devos online. I've chosen to start off with James. There isn't any real reason to choosing this book other than it's one of my favourites. Well, perhaps I shouldn't say that for it might be that the Spirit is leading me here and I'm just not aware of it, as usual. So here we go.

James 1:1

James, a bond-servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes who are dispersed abroad: Greetings.

Okay, here's what I see first of all - a name, James. This James just so happens to be the very brother of Jesus, as in His literal flesh-and-blood brother. Instead of promoting himself and bragging about who he is he humbly declares himself God's bond-servant, and calls Jesus not his brother but his Lord.

This book is written to the 12 tribes of Israel. Does that mean that it is not written for us? If we relied completely on context it might mean that, but at the same time we are called to study the entire counsel of the Word of God. This book is definitely for us. It's for me. I need it, I mean, I really need this book.

It is written to the 12 tribes but not the static ones in Jerusalem but rather the ones cast out (many of them literally outcasts). He is writing to the "diaspora."

He ends by saying "Greetings." Now this is interesting, it's not the regular Jewish form of greeting. It is not shalom, meaning peace. No, this is the Greek form of greeting and it has to do with cheerfulness or joy. Even though they were in the "diaspora" he still encourages them.