I had never heard of Jenifer Jennings when I discovered the book James on Amazon. It is the first book in the Servant Siblings Series which is a fictional telling of the lives of Jesus siblings immediatly before and right after the Crucifiction. Jame is Jesus' half sibling, the next in line according to age. He has the weight of the world on his shoulders as he tries to lead the family after Joseph dies and Mary follows Jesus in His earthly ministry. He is resentful and does not believe that Jesus is anything more than a charleton.
This was a good story of what it may have been like to be Jesus, half brother. Would you believe the tales of your brother being conceived by god? His performing miracles, raising people from the dead while also stirring up the religeous leaders? Join James as he leads his siblings to Jerusalem to observe the Holy days.
So grab your favorite beverage and settle in for a good read.
All thoughts are my own.
From Amazon:
Amidst betrayal and resurrection rumors, James must decide where his loyalties truly lie.
James ben Joseph wrestles with the pain of his older brother’s death. He never believed Jesus was a rebel, but his brother’s radical teachings drew dangerous attention from the Pharisees.
Traveling to Jerusalem for Passover, James hoped to convince Jesus to abandon his reckless ideas and come home. Betrayal and conflict led to Jesus’ arrest and crucifixion, and to protect his family, James turned his back on his brother.
As rumors spread that Jesus has risen from the dead, James’ sorrow mixes with fear of persecution. Determined to protect his family from further chaos, he sets out to uncover who is spreading these dangerous claims. As the truth unfolds, James faces a decision that could change his and his siblings’ lives forever.
Step into the world of first-century Jerusalem and follow James on his journey of faith in James, Book 1 of the Servant Siblings series.
About the author:
Jenifer Jennings writes Historical novels that immerse readers in ancient worlds filled with Biblical characters and faith-building stories. Coming to faith in Jesus at seventeen, she spends her days falling in love with her Savior through the study of His Word. Jenifer has a Bachelor’s in Women’s Ministry and graduated with distinction while earning her Master’s in Biblical Languages. When she’s not working on her latest book, Jenifer can be found on a date with her hardworking husband or mothering their two children. Discover your next favorite book at: jeniferjennings.com.
What’s your most talked about book?
A message from Jenifer Jennings:
Dear Reader,
I'd like to take a moment to introduce this fictionalized family of Jesus before you dive into their stories. There are some things you might encounter in this series that don't perfectly align with traditional viewpoints. First, remember you discovered this book in the fiction section. The story's primary duty, as with all fiction, is to entertain. While doing so, my writing attempts to shed light on Scriptural truths and show God's work in our lives in the context of history and ancient culture, but these do not make it Canon. Second, remember that simply because one sect of Christianity holds a certain viewpoint, doesn't make it the only correct one. There are many traditions of all sects that are based on human interpretation and bias that don't find solid footing in Scripture. I am not speaking of doctrinal theology clearly laid out in God's Word, but those viewpoints and practices unique to sects that are merely traditions. It is often a delicate task for a Biblical Historical Fiction novelist to separate modern views from historical facts, ancient culture, and Biblical truth. I'd like to offer a few considerations based on research that might rub against modern views in this series.
One of those viewpoints is that Joseph and Jesus were carpenters. Some of us have vivid memories of sermons and dramas depicting Jesus working exclusively with wood. While not completely outside the realm of possibilities, the truth of their profession may more accurately align with what we would call a "handyman." The Greek word tektón appears only twice in the New Testament and encompasses a more general career of "craftsman." One Biblical reference is to Joseph (Matthew 13:55) and one about Jesus (Mark 6:3). Both of these references are found in the story of Jesus' denial in Nazareth. Both also speak of his familial relationship with his mother Mary, his four named brothers, and "all of his sisters." These people became the primary focus of this series. This word was later translated as "carpenter" by people who had a plethora of fantastic wood available and who used wood in prominent ways in their time. The fact is that during Jesus' days in Nazareth, wood was scarce and what was available would not have made suitable building materials outside of shelves, doors, or tables. Almost everything else was made of stone. As the Jewish population was reaching the heights of its legalism, stone became the most prominent building material. They preferred stone to wood because wood absorbed impurities while stone did not. There have also been archaeological discoveries that reveal a stone quarry near Nazareth, which contained a workshop where stone items were produced on-site. A city called Sepphoris was also within walking distance of Nazareth and was undergoing mass stone building projects during the years of Jesus. These seem to point to a culture more focused on stonework over wood. Does that mean Jesus never worked with wood? Absolutely not. But these discoveries paint a picture in which Joseph, seeking to care for a family of at least nine people, might have focused his skills more on stone and taught his sons to do the same. This family might have had expanded skills in building design, woodwork, masonry, and more.
The second viewpoint is a much more delicate and highly debated one. Though I have no room here (or desire) to debate centuries' worth of viewpoints and traditions, I would like to address one person who might step into a different light in this series. While imagining the family surrounding Jesus, I had to come to decisions about his mother, Mary. Studying under Protestant teachings, I know views on Mary as I understand them significantly differ from those of other Christian sects. My goal in developing Mary as a character was not to paint in her light of a certain sect, but to show her as real as possible. Being human, she might have made choices that do not line up with certain modern viewpoints. I kept asking myself, "If she honestly believed her son was Messiah, what would she do in this situation?" Answering those questions in my imagination resulted in situations in these stories that might clash with certain modern viewpoints. That creative choice formed conflicts in this fictionalized world; another goal of writers. Though even those find resolutions as the series progresses. Characters in stories must grow, so they must start with a need for growth. This extended into Jesus' relationship with the people listed in the two passages about his denial in Nazareth. The view of the exact relationship is also a highly debated topic that will not find space to flush out here. I portrayed the simplest explanation that fit within the culture; they were his half-siblings, children of Mary and Joseph after their consummated marriage.
One glaring fact remains; we know very little about Jesus' family. We can make a few educated guesses considering culture and archeology and tie them to the casual mentions in Scripture. These foundations are what I built my fictional story upon; not modern traditions. My prayer is that these stories will help you see Jesus in the context of family and culture. The primary goal was not to paint a picture of perfection but one of reality and historical context. Let's take Bible people off their pedestals and put them in the dirt beside us. They were real, like us. They struggled, like us. And, like us, they encountered God and His Messiah who changed their lives.
~Jenifer Jennings
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