This week’s passage cut me to the quick.

I feel like I have grown close to James while writing out this book and studying his words.

Do you know how James died???

Not long after writing the book of James he was martyred in Jerusalem in 62AD. He was taken by a high priest to a high point on the temple and they demanded that he renounce Christ. When he refused he was pushed over the edge of the temple and then stoned.

Hegesippus tells us that at this point “they went up and threw down the just man [from the temple height], and said to each other, ‘Let us stone James the Just.’And they began to stone him, for he was not killed by the fall, but he knelt down and said, ‘I entreat thee, Lord God our Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do’ [thus following his brother's example to the last]. One of them, who was a fuller, took the club with which he beat out clothes and struck the just man on the head. And thus he suffered martyrdom” (quoted in Biblical Archaeology Review, November-December 2002, p. 32).

James lived and died a loyal life to the glory of God.  And I am challenged…how am I living?

This week’s video includes the story of one of my classmates from the Moody Bible Institute who died a martyrs death.  Both her living and dying inspires me and I think she’ll inspire you too.

Walk with the King!
, Women Living Well