Jesus’ Own Brother Didn’t Believe Him—Until THIS Happened!

Recently, minister Rick Renner delivered a powerful teaching on the book of James, revealing deep insights about Jesus’ half-brother and his radical transformation from skeptic to servant of God.

Renner believes James’ journey carries a crucial message for believers today—one that corrects misconceptions about suffering and exposes the true nature of God.

James 1:1 opens with a surprising statement: “James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greetings.”

For Renner, the significance of this introduction cannot be overstated.

“This James was the half-brother of Jesus… James and Jesus had the same mother, but they did not have the same father,” Renner explains. “Jesus’ father, of course, was God. James’ father was Joseph.”

But despite growing up in the same household as the Son of God, James was not an early believer. In fact, he openly rejected Jesus.

“You might ask, how can you grow up with Jesus and not like Jesus?” Renner says. "Well, just put yourself in James’ shoes. Your older brother is literally perfect. He never does anything wrong. And all your life, you hear, ‘Why can’t you be more like Jesus?’”

Resentment festered. By the time Jesus began His public ministry, James wanted nothing to do with it.

“John 7:5 says that none of Jesus’ brothers believed in Him. Can you imagine? The crowds followed Him, the disciples loved Him—but His own brothers refused to accept Him.”

That all changed after the resurrection.

“We’re told in 1 Corinthians 15 that when Jesus was raised from the dead, one of His first orders of business was to appear to James. And it was at that moment that James finally understood why his older brother was so different—because He really was God in the flesh.”

James’ transformation was immediate. The man who once rejected Jesus became one of the most prominent leaders of the early Church.

James the Just: The Leader Who Wouldn’t Bow

James’ influence grew rapidly. As the leader of the Jerusalem Church, he became one of the most visible Christians of his time. People sought him out, not only because of his leadership but because of his direct connection to Jesus.

“Imagine if the half-brother of Jesus were alive today. Everyone would want to meet him. They’d say, ‘Surely you know more about Jesus than anyone else!’” Renner explains.

But with visibility came danger. The Jewish Sanhedrin, desperate to stamp out Christianity, saw James as a threat. So they made him an offer.

“They said, ‘James, we want you to publicly declare that Jesus was a fraud, and if you do this, we will lay at your feet the kingdoms of this world,’” Renner reveals.

But James refused.

Standing atop the pinnacle of the temple—the very place where Satan had tempted Jesus—he declared: “Let all Israel know that this Jesus, whom you have slain with wicked hands, is resurrected! He is exalted! He is both Lord and Christ!"

The leaders were outraged. They threw James from the temple, but the fall didn’t kill him. In a final act of violence, they stoned him to death as he prayed for their forgiveness.

Does God Allow Suffering? James Says No.

James’ letter was written to Jewish believers scattered across the Roman Empire—people who had lost their homes, their wealth, and in many cases, their families. They were suffering and searching for answers. Many believed that, even if God didn’t directly cause their hardships, He had at least allowed them.

James shuts that thinking down immediately.

“Let no man say when he is tempted, ‘I am tempted by God,’” he writes in James 1:13. “For God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth He any man.”

Renner explains the weight of this statement: “The word ‘tempted’ is the Greek word peirazó—it means to crush, to destroy. It describes a calculated test intended to ruin. And James says, ‘Stop it! Don’t let one of you ever say again that God is crushing and destroying you.’”

Some of these believers knew better than to accuse God outright. Instead, they got religious.

“They said, ‘Now, we know God didn’t personally do this to us, but… He could have stopped it, and He didn’t. So, somehow, He must have allowed it.’”

James refuses to entertain that thinking.

“If you believe that, you need to cut it out,” Renner says. “God does not have cancer to give you. God does not have destruction to hand out. And He is not sitting on His throne deciding whether or not He will allow you to be crushed.”

So what does God give?

Every Good and Perfect Gift Comes from Above

James answers that question definitively: “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of Lights, with whom there is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” (James 1:17)

Renner dissects this powerful verse:

“The words ‘coming down’ are the Greek word katabaino—and it describes an unstoppable downpour. This is not a once-in-a-while thing. James is saying that God is constantly, habitually pouring out goodness like a torrential rainstorm.”

So if God isn’t sending destruction, what is He sending?

“Every time something comes from God, it is advantageous, beneficial, and good for you,” Renner explains. “And if something comes to steal, kill, or destroy—it didn’t come from God.”

Why Aren’t More Believers Receiving This Goodness?

If God is constantly pouring out blessings, why do so many believers struggle? The answer isn’t on God’s side—it’s on ours.

“Hebrews 2:1 warns us to ‘give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we let them slip by.’ That means God is throwing blessing after blessing in our direction, but if we’re not paying attention, we’ll miss them.”

James urges believers to run to this truth. The Greek word takus means to move at full speed. But what prevents people from doing this?

“James 1:19 tells us—‘Be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to wrath.’ You know what that means? Most people can’t hear the truth because they’re too busy running their mouths.”

It’s Time to Push Darkness Across the Line

James’ message is clear: God is not sending trials, sickness, or suffering. He is the giver of every good and perfect gift. And if anything from the kingdom of darkness tries to invade the life of a believer, it must be resisted.

“If darkness is trying to get into our space, we are to push it back across the line. It doesn’t belong where we live.”

Renner believes that when believers truly understand this, it changes everything.

“You receive what you believe. And if you believe God is the author of your pain, you’ll never resist it. But if you believe every good and perfect gift is from above, you’ll reach out by faith and take it.”

One truth is already certain: God is not the author of suffering—He is the answer to it.