Creating a Word-Picture

For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians. Acts 11:26.

There was a time (most likely many) when James, the half-brother of Jesus, had to consider the cost. Perhaps, the most defining one he faced came some time after the sword of Herod took one of their own, James the brother of John.
I am learning that you can see so much by creating a word-picture. James, who is unique in relationship and background to our beloved Savior, gives us a world of room to imagine. Possibly, during this defining moment, his thoughts went something like this..

"This thing were doing is deadly. Terrifying. I feel sick. I feel exhilarated. He said not to fear those who can only fear the body. Think past the pain. What about our families? What does all this mean? I feel like hoards of demons have been unleashed on us. There are angels. Real, live angels-- and some of them appear in beams of brilliant light. We may be captured, but we may be rescued. We may see horrors, but we may see wonders. We may lose our heads, but we cannot lose our soles. The stakes are up. The fire is lit. It's time to live like those who cannot die. 

Welcome to the life of those called Christians. "

The study of James.