On James, the Brother of the Lord, and David

1If our Savior had not humbled himself and become obedient to the point of death (Philippians 2:8), servants would never have been called kinsmen, nor would the clay ever have been called the father of the potter.

In Zion I greet Bethlehem as though she were present; in the daughter I see the mother.

In you one torch-bearing star was kindled, but in her many were kindled. That star guided the Magi, but she gave torchlight to Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and people from all the nations with light like lightning.

You draw milk from virgin breasts, but she draws down the Spirit from the Father's bosom.

2You leavened the bread, but Zion displayed a supper. You nourished the calf at the manger, but Zion led it up to the altar. You hid Jesus in swaddling clothes, but she bared his side to Thomas when he wished to touch it. You have a virgin giving birth while the organs of nature remained closed; she has a bridal chamber that, while the doors were closed, receives the bridegroom within and holds him.

3How shall I praise the servant and brother of Christ, the commander-in-chief of the new Jerusalem, the leader of the priests, the chief of the apostles, the crown among heads, the one shining beyond among lamps, the one shining beyond among stars? Peter speaks in public, but James gives the law, and a few words contracted the magnitude of the question: “I judge not to trouble those from the nations,” and so on (Acts 15:19).

4“I judge.” It is not lawful to set aside his judgment, nor to despise his decree. For in me speaks the judge of all, both the dead and the living. The instrument is mine, but the craftsman is above me. I supply the tongue, but the Word, the maker, supplies the word. Pay no attention to the reed, but to the one who writes with it. Let obedience follow the hearing.