TWELVE COMMON MEN The Least Known Apostles James, son of Alphaeus Simon, the Zealot Judas Thaddaeus Lebbaeus The Least Known Apostles

INTRODUCTION The Apostles were men who were willing to give up everything to follow Christ (Lk 18:28) The Gospel writers honestly portrayed their weaknesses along with their strengths They are never shown as major role players When they are emphasized it is often to highlight their doubt, disbelief or confusion Their heroism played out after Jesus went back to heaven and sent the Holy Spirit to empower them James, Simon, Judas – The Least Known Apostles

INTRODUCTION The early growth of the church stands as their true legacy of greatness It is the durability of their faith that sets these men apart John 6:66-69 demonstrates this durability The single most heroic thing about them is that they gave up all to follow Christ James, Simon, Judas – The Least Known Apostles

JAMES, son of Alpaheus James the son of Alphaeus (Mk 3:18) Matthew is also called the son of Alphaeus (Mk 2:14), it is possible that he and James were brothers, though never called brothers May be James the Less, the brother of Joses and son of Mary (Mk 15:40) In Jn. 19:25 this Mary is called the wife of Clopas Clopas could be another name of Alphaeus Or Alphaeus has died, and Clopas is her second husband Clopas is never identified as the father of James so this is a better possibility Or James the Less is not James the son of Alphaeus James, Simon, Judas – The Least Known Apostles

JAMES, son of Alpaheus He was not James the son of Zebedee He was not James the Lord’s brother Probably not the writer of the NT book of James Usually attributed to James, the Lord’s brother We have no record of his words or deeds He is totally obscure This may be the reason for the name “the Less”, if that James is the son of Alphaeus One meaning is “least” Another meaning is “short”, and so may only be a reference to his physical size A third meaning is “younger or youngest” He may have been younger than the other James or he may have been the youngest apostle James, Simon, Judas – The Least Known Apostles

JAMES, son of Alpaheus If we know so little about him, can we learn anything from his being chosen? Heb 11:33-40 Many who labor in obscurity are still known to God for their faithfulness What became of James the son of Alphaeus? Unknown Many traditions have confused him with one of the other James (usually the Lord’s brother) Some traditions have him beaten to death with clubs in Jerusalem at 94 years old Would make him the second longest surviving apostle James, Simon, Judas – The Least Known Apostles

SIMON THE ZEALOT This Simon was also named "the Cananite“ or “Cananean” (Mt 10:4; Mk 3:18) "Zelotes“ or “the Zealot” (Lk 6:15; Ac 1:13) What was the meaning of Cananite? Word only found in the 2 references to Simon Probably a reference to his hometown, Cana Probably not a reference to the Canaanites of the OT James, Simon, Judas – The Least Known Apostles

SIMON THE ZEALOT What were Zealots? The Zealots were a political faction Originated as “freedom fighters” since the time of Roman occupation (64BC) At the time of Jesus birth headed by Judas of Galilee, who "in the days of the enrollment" (Ac 5:37) bitterly opposed the threatened increase of taxation at the census of Quirinius Sought to hasten by the sword the fulfillment of Messianic prophecy (and hence, they thought, freedom from Rome) James, Simon, Judas – The Least Known Apostles

SIMON THE ZEALOT Zealots sought to overthrow Romans by all means Romans called them “Sicarii” meaning “Knives” They practiced terrorism and acts of violence and assassination They interpreted the Law literally and believed only God had the right to rule over the Jews They believed their assassination of Roman soldiers and political leaders was God’s work (hence “Zealots”) To them paying tribute to a pagan king was treason against the one true God Barabbas may have been a Zealot (Mk 15:7) James, Simon, Judas – The Least Known Apostles

SIMON THE ZEALOT Imagine the initial meeting between Simon and Matthew )the tax collector) Jesus knew he could channel Simon’s loyalty, passion, courage and zeal for His purposes We have no reliable record of Simon beyond the New Testament Tradition has him bringing the gospel to Britain and being crucified in AD 74 James, Simon, Judas – The Least Known Apostles

JUDAS THADDAEUS LEBBAEUS Lk 6:16; Ac 1:13 - "son of James“ Could be "brother of James“ but less likely Lk 6:14 uses “brother” specifically when meant Lk 6:15 uses “of Alphaeus” to name father Catholics have wanted to identify him (as well as James) as the half-brothers of Jesus But Jn 7:2-5 makes clear Jesus’ brothers were not among His disciples during His lifetime The author of Jude (Jude 1:1) is “brother of James” But no reason to insist the author was the apostle Judas Never calls himself an apostle Could have been the half-brother of Jesus, and therefore brother of James the writer of that book James, Simon, Judas – The Least Known Apostles

JUDAS THADDAEUS LEBBAEUS He is also called "Thaddaeus" or "Lebbaeus whose surname was Thaddaeus" (Mt 10:3; Mk 3:18) Judas was a Hebrew name, “Judah, he shall be praised” Thaddeus was a Greek name “large-hearted, courageous” Lebbaeus was an Aramaic name “a man of heart” James, Simon, Judas – The Least Known Apostles

JUDAS THADDAEUS LEBBAEUS Jn 14:19-24 The only incident recorded of this Judas Judas questions the Lord concerning why only the Apostles will receive the manifestation of Christ and not the world Understood everyone needed to know Christ A good-hearted honest question from a pious believing disciple He obviously still expected an earthly kingdom Jesus’ answer – Christ will manifest Himself to anyone who loves Him Jesus would win the world one heart at a time The kingdom resides in the heart of every believer James, Simon, Judas – The Least Known Apostles

JUDAS THADDAEUS LEBBAEUS What became of Judas? Again we don’t know for certain Tradition says Judas preached in Turkey, the kingdom of Edessa where he was shot to death with arrows around AD 72 Other traditions say he was crucified Once again the case of God using a perfectly ordinary person in remarkable ways James, Simon, Judas – The Least Known Apostles

Conclusion Three more common men Men from different backgrounds All proved to be useful to the Lord We don’t have to be the most notable disciple to be useful Our reward comes from God, not from notoriety among brethren or the world Let us each be content doing what we can in service to the Lord (Mt 10:40-42)