Just a Humble Servant: What We Can Learn from the Brother of Jesus

When we introduce ourselves, we often lead with what makes us impressive. Titles, accomplishments, credentials—we bring them forward to earn respect. Even subtle forms of name-dropping are our way of saying, “I matter because of what I’ve done or who I know.”

But James doesn’t do that.

James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ …

James 1:1

No titles. No accolades. No reputation to prop him up. Just a servant.

And what’s being said—without being said—is powerful.

This James was no ordinary man. He was the brother of Jesus. After Mary gave birth to Jesus, she and Joseph had more children—James among them (Matt. 13:55). He grew up in the same house as Jesus, shared the same roof, ate at the same table, and followed the same customs. If anyone could name-drop, it was James.

And yet, he doesn’t.

Instead of writing, “James, the brother of Jesus,” he says, “James, a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ.” That’s not just humility—that’s transformation.

Because James didn’t always believe. In fact, he was once hardened toward Jesus. In John 7, we see James and his brothers mocking Jesus, pushing Him toward danger in Judea:

After this Jesus went about in Galilee. He would not go about in Judea, because the Jews were seeking to kill him. Now the Jews’ Feast of Booths was at hand. So his brothers said to him, “Leave here and go to Judea, that your disciples also may see the works you are doing. For no one works in secret if he seeks to be known openly. If you do these things, show yourself to the world.” For not even his brothers believed in him.

John 7:1–5

They didn’t want Him around. They didn’t believe He was who He said He was. James likely watched Jesus die, still thinking He was delusional.

But then something happened.

In 1 Corinthians 15, Paul recounts that the risen Christ appeared to Peter, then the twelve, then five hundred others—and then to James (1 Cor. 15:7). Jesus appeared personally to the brother who once mocked Him.

And that changed everything.

James came face to face with the risen Lord. The brother he didn’t believe in was now the Savior he bowed before. His heart was shattered and remade. The resurrection humbled James and redefined his identity. From that moment forward, Jesus wasn’t just his brother—He was his Lord.

And James never went back.

He became a pillar in the early church—a key voice in Jerusalem and a decision-maker at the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15). Even Paul named James among the most respected leaders (Gal. 1:19). He had position, power, and influence.

And still… he introduces himself as nothing more than a servant.

The Greek word James uses—doulos—doesn’t mean employee or assistant. It means slave. One who is fully surrendered, owned by another. James is saying, “My entire identity is wrapped up in serving Christ.”

No résumé. No pedigree. Just humility.

What sounds like a small description is actually a key theme that colors the entire letter. Humility is the heartbeat of James. Over and over again, he returns to it. In 1:2, humility prepares the soul to find joy in trials. Verse 3 shows us that humility produces patience when faith is tested, and in 1:4, it admits weakness and seeks strength from God. By verse 9, the lowly are told to rejoice when God lifts them up, while verse 10 reminds the rich that trials often lead to true humility. Then, in 1:17, James reminds us that every good gift comes from above, because humility knows how to receive grace.

Later, in chapter 4, James figuratively raises his voice. His tone sharpens. It’s as if he’s pointing directly at the reader, urging repentance, calling out pride, and demanding surrender.

God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble… so humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you. (James 4:6, 10)

James doesn’t just preach humility—he lives it, writes it, and calls us into it. His letter is a manual for maturing faith, and humility is the soil it grows in.

So what does this mean for us?

True Christian maturity begins in the soil of humility. If James, the brother of Jesus and the leader of the church, saw himself only as a servant—how much more should we? 

The world tells us to build a platform. Jesus calls us to pick up a towel. The world tells us to lead with strength. James shows us the strength of leading with surrender. So start here: Don’t seek to be impressive—seek to be a servant. That’s where real faith begins.

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