Daily Reflections From Higher Things®

Today's Reading: Acts 15:12-22 Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 24:10-25:10; Matthew 16:13-28 But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and in his own house." (Matthew 13:57) In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. James, called the "brother" of Jesus, is the author of the epistle that bears his name. He was, as church tradition holds, stoned by the Jewish leaders of Jerusalem. James was not hated because he was misunderstood. He was hated and put to death because he preached Christ. As long as there are people in the world who think they are good enough NOT to need a Savior, they will prove to God how pious they are by getting rid of the people who teach the true Word of God. We shouldn't be surprised. Jesus said this would happen. Rather than some easy life full of material comforts, Jesus actually promises that His disciples will have persecution and suffering. It's no different than what happened to Jesus. James died for the same reason Jesus did. Those who think they were