Acts 12:2 "He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword."
King Herod did not like this new movement of Jesus followers. So he did his best to round them up and kill them. Acts 12:2 states that Herod had James, "put to death with the sword." James died for his faith and for following Jesus.
I have always been intrigued by martyrs. These people, often willingly, die for their faith, for their beliefs. But maybe it's something even more than that? It's not like James died for some idea he had, or some philosophical argument his mind agreed with. He died for a cause, for a revolution, for a man. He was so convicted, so dedicated, he gave his life for Jesus. And such an amazing, horrific event is only described in scripture by one simple verse, almost lost in the rest of the chapter. Almost as if it's no big deal. This is what may happen. It's part of the deal. I'll never forget the saying, "some people died for their faith, all we have to do is live for ours." I need to live for my faith and live for my Jesus today.
Dear Jesus, help me seize this day and live it fully for you. Amen.
