James of Jerusalem: A biblical novel

By Lois Caldwell

James of Jerusalem imagines answers, not recorded in the Bible, to questions about a pivotal figure in the first century church. What kind of person was James? Did he have a family? How was he like or different from his elder brother, Jesus? How and where did he die?

The book gives a clear picture of the character of James. Based on his epistle and biblically recorded events in his life, it portrays the man who modeled how he urged others to live, in his letter to those who called themselves “Followers of the Way.”

The reader will be caught up in what could have been James’s private life and will gain understanding of the Jerusalem church and its leader in its early years.

This novel is truly a journey which encompasses faithfulness, understanding the human heart, intrigue, romantic love, sorrow, surprises, and – most of all, absolute trust in the Savior and love for fellow human beings.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Feb 5, 2024
• ISBN: 9798385011766

Lois Caldwell

LOIS CALDWELL is a pastor’s wife, mother of five adult children, and grandmother. She has had a private counseling practice for thirty-five years, has been a teacher in public, government, and Christian schools, and has led retreats and spoken at conferences nationally and abroad. Lois and her husband, Jim, have led ten mission teams to fifteen countries to interact with missionaries and work in indigenous hospitals, orphanages, and schools. Her soprano voice has been heard in many churches, here and in countries she has visited. In her “retirement” years, Lois leads a Bible discussion group and loves to entertain friends, curl up with a good book, knit sweaters for family, and spend time writing. Lois and her husband of sixty-five years live in Downingtown, southeast Pennsylvania.

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JAMES of

JERUSALEM

A BIBLICAL NOVEL

Lois Caldwell

Copyright © 2023 Lois Caldwell.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This is a work of fiction. Characters, with the exception of biblical and historical characters, are fictional. Except in cases noted in the Bible or by first-century historians, all names, events, and dialogue are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

WestBow Press

A Division of Thomas Nelson & Zondervan

1663 Liberty Drive

Bloomington, IN 47403

www.westbowpress.com

844-714-3454

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Scripture quotations not marked NKJV or NASB are taken from the New International Version.

Scripture quotations marked NKJV are taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked NASB are taken from the New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

ISBN: 979-8-3850-1175-9 (sc)

ISBN: 979-8-3850-1176-6 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2023921588

WestBow Press rev. date: 01/30/2024

Contents

Author’s Notes

Names and Hebrew Words

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Epilogue

Discussion Questions

Recipe for Abigail’s Honey Cakes

Acknowledgments

Sources

To my mother, Ethelbird Andrews Wrigley,

who instilled in me her love for a good story

and taught me how to write one,

and

to the writers of the New Testament,

to historians who were their contemporaries,

and to translators who have faithfully

given us these documents in English,

for inspiring and enabling me to create this story.

Author’s Notes

The impetus for this novel began, in a Bible Study of James’s epistle, with these questions, Did Jesus have brothers and sisters? and What was it like to grow up in a family with a perfect older brother? Writing a historical biblical novel presents a particular but delightful challenge: how to remain true to Scripture and yet let creativity and imagination be expressed. Hence, a logical question by the reader is, What of the story is actually biblical, what is historically based, and what parts are fictional? This inquiry leads to other questions, including the following.

Did Jesus really have brothers and sisters?

There are differences of beliefs surrounding this question. The Roman Catholic understanding is that any mentioned children are cousins of Jesus, while those of Protestant persuasion believe that Jesus had half-brothers and half-sisters.

For this novel, the latter belief has been accepted after a careful study of Scripture. The Bible mentions Jesus’ four brothers by name and all his sisters (Matthew 13:55). Paul speaks of James, the Lord’s brother, in Galatians 1:19. Matthew 1:24-25 also states that he (Joseph) had no (sexual) union with her (Mary) until she gave birth to a son. This means that Jesus’ true Father was God Almighty, that Jesus’ mother, Mary, was a virgin when Jesus was born, and that Jesus’ earthly father, Joseph, was Jesus’ stepfather – and the father of Jesus’ brothers and sisters. Also, in biblical Greek, the words for brother and cousin are different.

Differing beliefs aside, I have tried to create a tale that presents the character and personality of James and how faithfully he practiced what he wrote in his epistle. To do so, I have proceeded in the conviction that James was truly a half-brother of Jesus, and I have given James an imaginary family. Most Jewish men were married – hence his wife, Rachel, and his daughter, Abigail.

Also, there is historical evidence that both James and his mother, Mary, remained in Jerusalem, where the apostle John cared for her, as Jesus had instructed from the Cross.

Wasn’t Jesus really called Yeshua?

Yes, that was his Hebrew name, and he would have been called Yeshua by his family. Hence, I use Yeshua when James or his immediate family addresses him or when James prays to him or reminisces about his early days in Nazareth. Twenty-five to thirty years after Jesus’ resurrection, when this story takes place, most would have referred to him by the Greek equivalent of Yeshua, which translates into English as Jesus.

I have also used the English instead of the Hebrew form of most of the familiar people’s names to make for easier reading and identification: e.g., James instead Jacob, Mary instead of Miriam, and Jude instead of Judah.

Which of the characters are biblical (real), and which are fictional?

The following characters are real and found in the Bible, although not all their actions appear in Scripture: Jesus, James, John, Mary, Paul, Ananus, Jude, and Simon the Zealot. The fictional family of James, members of the fellowship or the Sanhedrin, Lucas, Prisca, Seth, and the two boys have been introduced to shape the story (although they seemed to come alive and captured my heart.)

What parts of the story are accurate to Scripture?

Paul’s testimony (Acts 9 and 22), his visit to Jerusalem to bring its church monetary relief from churches far away, and his subsequent arrest and imprisonment (Acts 21-23) are found in Scripture. The mention of Paul’s visit to the council in Jerusalem is found in Acts 15:1-18 and also in Galatians 2. That James was the chief elder or head (bishop) of the church in Jerusalem is referred to in Acts 12:17, Acts 15:13, and Acts 21:18.

There is record in 1 Corinthians 15:7 that, after Jesus’ resurrection, he appeared to James – although the specific circumstances are not recorded there. (This is one of those occasions that imagination added color to the story.) Jude’s parting blessing is found in the final verses of his epistle, although giving that blessing on the occasion mentioned in my story is fictional. The descriptions of people, times, food, the temple, and everyday life are the results of my research. For instance, candles, as we have them today, were not yet invented; various kinds of small oil lamps were used.

Is the account of James’s death in the Bible?

No. However, the killing of James is described in historical writings of that time. Eusebius, Hegesippus, and Josephus all wrote accounts of James’s death. While the three accounts differ somewhat, I chose the account by Hegesippus, because it contains more detail. (Ecclesiastical History, Vol. 2:23, as cited in Barclay’s The Letters of James and Peter, pages 14 and 15).

What is the timing of the story?

57 A.D. to 62 A.D., the historically recorded date of James’s death. The fictional Epilogue is set in 68 AD. This was before the destruction of the temple and Jerusalem in 70 A.D.

Was Ananus the High Priest at the time of James’s death?

Ananus was the High Priest at the time. Festus was gone, and the newly appointed Roman Procurator had not yet arrived. Therefore, it was the expedient time for the Sanhedrin to illegally rid Jerusalem of James’s influence. This is why the events leading to James’s death might well have happened as the book describes.

Did Mary die in Ephesus or Jerusalem?

There is a Roman Catholic tradition that Mary accompanied John to Ephesus and lived in a small house nearby, identified in a vision by a nun in the early 19th century, which is visited today by many tourists (the author included).

However, most historians agree that Mary died in Jerusalem and that John went later to Ephesus, where he was made Bishop. The actual place or time of Mary’s death is recorded neither in the Bible nor in historical accounts.

Names and Hebrew Words

Chapter 1

57 A.D.

Jerusalem was asleep. The streets were dark, with only a stray cat lurking in the shadows and someone shrouded, hooded, and most likely about some nefarious business, quietly darting from doorway to doorway. The hustle and bustle of throngs of people filling the streets, on their way to or from market with their donkey carts and wares, had ceased with the evening hours. Moonlight reflected off the gold of the temple, which towered over the city. Even that was quiet now that the gates had been closed and locked.

Only after the Levitical priests had cast lots, to send one of their own to the pinnacle to watch for the dawn, would the silence of the night be shattered by his calling, The sky is lit as far as Hebron. Then the priests and Levites would take up their duties, the gates would be opened, and the devout would flock in and fill the courts.

But now it was quiet, and darkness enveloped the city. Only a soft breeze disturbed the quiet night, the kind of breeze that used to drift down from the hills around Nazareth.

James let his prayer shawl drop to his shoulders and rose from prayer, groaning softly as his knees protested. They had been protesting more and more these past months – a sign of his advancing age, no doubt. Slowly making his way to the wall that enclosed the roof, he leaned against the wall and let the breeze wash over him, bringing with it memories of many years past. It was as though the breeze brought with it echoes of voices from the past and pictures of faces from a distant time, a time before he had become the chief elder in Jerusalem. So vivid! But why tonight?

Perhaps what had happened at the fellowship earlier that evening brought such nostalgia. James did not often dwell on the past; he much preferred to live in the present. Lately, though, he found himself thinking more and more about finishing this earthly trek. After all, heaven beckoned with the promise of being reunited with his beloved Rachel, so many of his dear friends, and seeing Abba again – but most enticing, of being together again with Yeshua. Oh yes, James well knew that Yeshua, who most of his followers now called Jesus, was the living God; but Yeshua was still his dearest friend and older brother, and James dearly missed him. James shook his head and wondered again at what had started all this reminiscing.

It had been a good gathering, though it was obvious that more and more of the believers were leaving Jerusalem. Persecution was increasing, work in the city was becoming more difficult to find, and families were looking for a more secure existence. James understood their desire to find a safer life, but there was always the concern that the faith of those leaving the close fellowship in Jerusalem would falter in such foreign places, where there were many more temptations. Living among unbelievers would also test their convictions. False teaching, the allure of other religions’ festivals and practices, and marriage to unbelievers could easily overwhelm the faith of even the most serious believers.

James instinctively breathed a prayer that they would be faithful and stand true. His heart ached for them, the ones the Lord had given him to shepherd. Oh, my Lord, I cannot protect them. I have written to them, warned them, admonished them, and loved them from afar, but only you can put a shield around them.

James paused, recalling his talk with Micah and Joel about the Lord. Perhaps that was what was causing the flood of memories this night. Those two little lads at the fellowship had caught his attention early in the meeting. One was most likely about ten or eleven years old, for he did not yet possess the prayer shawl that boys received at their Bar Mitzvah. The care he showed for his brother, probably about three years younger, was unusual. They were obviously well-cared-for and well-taught, even though their clothing showed there was not an abundance of wealth.

The younger clung to his big brother’s hand – and had looked at him with such admiration and trust that it reminded James of Yeshua and himself. From time to time, James had caught himself studying them, while John had been preaching. John must have noticed James’s inattentiveness. He’d have to explain and ask forgiveness. He would see John at the temple in the morning, when they went there for prayer and to teach, and explain then.

John and he made it their practice to speak of the things of the kingdom when the people brought their sacrifices and sought forgiveness for their transgressions. It was the ideal time to share about the atoning sacrifice of Jesus, and many gathered to hear James, who was well respected in Jerusalem as devout and one who upheld the law.

This reputation was a bit of a mystery to James, as he and John did not participate in the temple’s animal sacrifices, because Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross had fulfilled that aspect of the law. That sacrifice had opened the door to a relationship with Adonai and entrance into eternal life, free from the shackles of sin. Believers in Jesus saw the temple as a sort of supreme synagogue – a place for teaching, prayer, and fellowship. They believed that believing in Jesus did not alter their Jewish identity. But sacrifice, they would not.

Ah, back to those two boys who had caught his attention. How patiently the older one had explained a passage of Scripture, and how knowledgeable he seemed – no doubt a good student of the Torah. And how trusting was the younger, who hung onto every word his brother uttered. It was apparent how proud he was of his elder brother, as he listened and absorbed his explanation. Pride shone in the young one’s eyes as he nodded understanding.

They had approached James after the fellowship gathering, the younger one unabashed and brimming with curiosity, pulling his brother by the hand. He had been impervious to the other’s admonishment that children should be seen and not heard, let alone pepper an elder with questions. This one was on a mission, and nothing was going to stand in his way!

A smile stole across James’s face. How like his own impulsiveness at that age! He hadn’t minded when the smaller of the two, Joel, he recalled, had blurted out his questions. Was Jesus really your brother? What was it like? How did you become a teacher? Did he tell you to do it? James hid his smile at the shock on the elder brother’s face. The poor boy was mortified.

Joel, stop!, Micah hissed, his face getting redder by the second. Hush now. Be quiet!

Why? I wanna know! And Ima’s busy. She won’t be looking for us yet. She’s talking to her friends. That means she won’t be ready to go home for a while, so now’s the time to ask! What’s wrong with wanting to know? It’s important! – and Rebbe doesn’t look cross. Wheeling around, Joel asked, You’re not, are you? I mean, you aren’t really angry with us for asking questions, are you? It’s really my only chance to find out these things. They are very important, you know. Then he added, with a serious look and shake of his head that underscored his next words, At least they are to me!

When Joel ran out of words and came up for air, Micah looked at James, murmured an apology, and pointedly steered Joel in the opposite direction. James could hear him, sternly but quietly explaining, First of all, Joel, you shouldn’t bother the rabbi. He has more important things to do than to answer your silly questions, and you certainly shouldn’t talk as if Jesus is your best friend. He’s the Lord Almighty. You need to repent and ask his forgiveness for being so familiar. Didn’t Abba teach us better than that? What do you think Rebbe will think of our family? – that our Lord means nothing to us?

Joel had looked devastated as he tucked his head in shame. He looked back over his shoulder as Micah pulled him away, but the longing in his eyes, to find answers to those questions, had touched James’s heart. Many of those questions were like his own had been, and how he wished he had found the answers earlier in life.

That young boy deserved answers now! James beckoned for the boys to return. Micah, evidently thinking he was about to be reprimanded, straightened his shoulders as though he would take this like a man, and Joel cringed, as if he were about to be eaten alive. It was hard for James not to chuckle at the appearance of the two approaching him, but he noted the lingering hope that had crept into Joel’s eyes. James knelt and put his arms around both brothers.

Come. Let’s sit here. We have some questions to answer. James hid another smile and pretended not to see Joel raise his eyebrows at Micah, as Micah shot Joel a warning and mouthed, No more!

Now Joel, let’s see if we can give you some explanations. Yes, Jesus, Yeshua, was my big brother, and it was very special growing up with him. We did everything together and he watched over me like Micah is doing for you. He helped me learn the Scriptures and was an excellent student, like Micah seems to be.

Micah’s scowl disappeared, and his shoulders relaxed. He sat straighter and leaned in to hear more, now as eager as Joel to hear the answers. Joel’s head bobbed up and down. Just like my brother, huh? He’s the best in Torah school, and he keeps me out of trouble – or tries to. Joel flashed a huge smile at his brother that brought one in return, accompanied by a slight shake of Micah’s head – to quiet the chatterbox.

James continued. Jesus was kind and good to everybody, but he was great fun, and we had a lot of adventures together. One thing I didn’t understand, though, was why he never seemed to disobey. When I suggested doing something wrong, he would explain why it was always better to do it the right way. That saved me a lot of lectures from my Abba! Now let’s see, what was that other question?

Joel shifted closer and whispered, The one about you being a teacher. Was it him who told you to do it?

James nodded. Oh yes. That was the other important question, wasn’t it? Joel nodded, and his eyes lit in anticipation of the answer.

No, Jesus didn’t tell me to be a rabbi. Like Micah here, I was a good student at Torah school, and I always loved the Scriptures – even wanted to be like my teacher when I grew up. My dream was to be a teacher of the law, too, but my Abba died when I was only fifteen, and I had to work in the carpentry shop with Jesus to help our family survive. I was really angry, because all my dreams had been shattered and I didn’t much like carpentry work. Yeshua never complained, but I certainly did. He always seemed to accept what Adonai had planned for him, but I wanted my own way.

Micah nodded understanding and ducked his head, as if to hide his feelings. James wondered if he had struck a sore spot. A slight frown crossed his forehead as he tucked the thought away for a future discussion – one he would no doubt have, as these children had truly caught his interest. But now was not the time to probe.

Smiling at Joel, James continued. Growing up, I learned many things from Jesus, even though I didn’t understand them all at the time. In fact, at that time, when Jesus started to travel and teach and do miracles, it left me to keep the family business going, and I didn’t even like him. James bit his lip to keep from laughing outright at the horror that crossed both boys’ faces.

"What?, Joel almost exploded. How could you not like him? I would never do that!" Micah tugged on Joel’s tunic, another sign to be quiet, but Joel’s countenance darkened as if the sun had forgotten to shine. Joel was horrified! How could this man, whom everyone respected and listened to, possibly dislike Jesus? With a scowl, he settled down, not at all happy with the turn the story was taking; but Micah leaned forward to hear the rest of the story.

"When I finally realized who Jesus was, I was so grateful that he loved me enough to give his life for me. I just wanted to serve him forever. Teaching his people the truth seemed the best way, and I knew he wanted me to teach his people of his love and the grace that had opened to us all when he gave his life to atone for our sins. That’s how I came to be here tonight.

You see, I realized that my brother was the risen Lord. He forgave my anger and all my sins, and I loved him even more – and gave my life to serve him with all my heart. Joel let out an audible sigh of relief, and sunshine finally broke out on his face. I’m so glad it ended all right, he murmured.

James could see over their heads that the women were finishing talking and were gathering their things in preparation for leaving. I see your Ima is getting ready to go, so we will have to continue talking some other time. Joel, remind me to tell you the story of my friend Peter, who felt sure that he wouldn’t deny Jesus. Joel nodded in anticipation of another talk and story, but James continued, However, there is one very important thing I want you to know. So, listen carefully. You are right, Micah, our Lord is due our deepest respect.

Micah looked over at Joel and raised his eyebrows in a See, I was right gesture, and Joel acknowledged his error. Dipping his head and looking chagrined, he murmured, I’ll do better, I promise.

James continued, "The wonderful thing I would have you know is that you can have no better friend than Jesus. Like a shepherd, he leads you to all the right places and, if you listen to him, he will protect you. He provides for you, and he is always with you. Even now he is praying for you, making intercession with our heavenly Father. But best of all, he will never leave you nor forsake you. You can always trust him and, even though he is the Lord, he is your very big brother and your friend, too. He truly is your best friend, your very best friend! James sighed, Oh, how I wish everyone knew that." Both Micah and Joel were silent, letting those wonderful thoughts sink in.

Then James noted their Ima looking for them. You are needed, boys. Go. And boys, be a help to your Ima. I see your Abba is not here.

Micah blurted out, He was taken last month. The warmth of the moment was gone. He grabbed Joel’s hand and, ducking his head, started to leave. James could see Micah’s eyes were damp and tears threatened to escape. Anyone could see that he was trying to be grown up and control his emotions, so James didn’t ask questions. Instead, giving them a warm hug, he pointed them in the direction of their mother.

The feeling of being without an earthly father was all too familiar to James. He would never forget the desolation he had felt that day in the carpentry shop when Joseph had clutched his chest and fallen, never to rise again. That day had changed everything for James.

There had followed the confusion of how the family would manage and the many changes in their family life. He had been only a few years older than Micah when everything had been upended. Yeshua took his father’s place in the carpentry shop, and James’s dreams of becoming a Torah scholar had vanished in one afternoon. He had to join his brother in trying to provide for the family – a heavy load for two teenage boys.

Yeshua became the head of the family overnight and seemed to accept the role without hesitation, saying that he knew Adonai would guide him. James, on the other hand, complained all too often. Once in a while, he wondered if Adonai even cared that the family had to struggle or that James’s dreams were in shreds.

James watched the retreating backs of the boys. Here was another family facing similar worries – a mother with two young boys and no one to provide for their daily needs. Also, if James were not mistaken, Micah had similar thwarted desires. It wasn’t hard to see, given his interest in and obvious love for the Scriptures. James would make sure that the fellowship knew of the little family’s needs. He was certain there would be offers of help, even though some dear saints would do without.

James’s shoulders slumped as he wondered how another need could be met. Many of the fellowship were already stretched beyond what was humanly possible. There was famine in Jerusalem, and many of the believers were suffering. But hadn’t he just told the boys that Adonai would provide, that he would be with that dear family and would walk with them, never leaving them alone? Turning around and sinking to his knees to ask for divine help from a brother who knew exactly how it felt, James had bowed his head.

Before a word rose to his lips, Joel came flying back and nearly collided with him. Rebbe, please wait! Just one more question! Joel hadn’t waited for permission to ask. He just blurted out, Did your Ima love him more, because he was so perfect?

James gulped his surprise. No, lad, she loved each one of us with all her heart. His being special didn’t make her love for me any different. Adonai seemed to give her a special love for all of us, whether we were perfect or not – just like your Ima, I’m sure, loves you even when you are naughty. Smiling, James quickly added, or when you keep her waiting. Now you had better go!

Joel hesitated. Then his whole face had brightened. "Rebbe, I’m going to make sure I tell everyone what you said. Absolutely everyone! I mean about Jesus, that he can be your very best friend even though he is our Lord." Like a whirlwind, he turned and ran to catch up with Micah while waving over his shoulder.

Chuckling to himself, James watched them go. Ah yes, no wonder Jesus loved the little children so much! There, he thought, goes a fine student who may someday be a rabbi. Then his smile had grown bigger as he thought of Joel. And there, my friend Paul, is your likely successor as an evangelist and missionary.

Yes, the evening’s unexpected conversation had brought back many, many memories. James settled himself and wrapped a blanket around his shoulders, as the cool of the early morning hours seeped into his bones. Then he surrendered to remembering events of the past that crowded in.

Chapter 2

Those memories had their beginnings in their home in Nazareth, which – to young James – always seemed too small for all the activity that accompanied a family of ten. But it was never too small for all the love and godly teaching it had held. James had spoken rightly to Joel. Ima seemed to have an inordinate amount of love to share. Abba was not lacking either, although they showed their love in different ways.

The house had at first been the extension that Joseph had built onto his parents’ house for Mary in preparation for their marriage, before their hurried departure for Bethlehem. It was waiting for them when they returned to Nazareth from Egypt with a toddler and a wee babe. James really didn’t remember much about that house, because it had soon been replaced with a larger one, when the family expanded quickly.

First there had been the addition of Joseph, whom they all called Joses and who most reminded Mary of her dear Joseph. Joses was the one who looked most like his Abba and resembled him in temperament – always serious and exacting, but with understanding and a sprinkle of humor.

It was a full house indeed, each child with a different personality and needs, but each taught to love and respect all the others. James chuckled. That hadn’t kept them, though, from some childish escapades that had been the object of some stern rebukes from Abba.

Anna and Elizabeth were delightful helpers, cheerful and quick to meet their Ima’s every desire. From an early age, they showed a love for homemaking, learning the skills needed for weaving and cooking. It had been Ima’s delight to share everyday duties with them. Elizabeth always had a twinkle in her eye and a bit of mischief planned, while Anna sang her way through the day. They truly were gifts from HaShem to make everyone’s days brighter.

Then there was Simon, sturdy and trustworthy. He tried hard to keep up with his older brothers, and it