Mark 15:40 There were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome;

Forgive my Outlander inference. In researching various translations of James the less, of which there are as many opinions as there are Mary’s, I found this. That this James might have been the youngest boy of this Mary that was “afar off”. Hence the Scottish tradition of distinguishing the ages of boys. Wee being of a very young age, young Jamie as being perhaps a teenager and then James followed by all his given names indicating manhood.

The speculations of which James is which in reference to the father is customary but this James is linked to the mother which is different and more difficult. Without the father’s name who can say for sure because of so many Mary’s found in the company of believers.

The only hint of obscurity I can put my finger to here is their placement in the back of the theater. Mary the mother of Jesus was close enough so that Jesus could speak to her personally and give the apostle John to be her son. (John 19:26)

To make things even more difficult in the use of names by reference, I found comments which indicated that it was believed that Mary, the mother of Jesus, had a sister named Mary. That would only add to the confusion. Even theologians, trying to be frankly honest have written, “I don’t know but I choose to believe…” This brings my issue into focus.

What do you have to settle in your own mind in order to let go of unimportant issues that others insist on defining in order to elevate their reputation?

Which Mary and which James matters not here and changes nothing of the true significance of Christ’s death, resurrection, and ascension.

Mark 15:21 And they compel one Simon a Cyrenian, who passed by, coming out of the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to bear his cross.

I am known by many as Sean’s daddy, Lauren’s daddy, or Melissa’s daddy. They only know me through my children.

John 14:7 If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.

Who’s your Daddy?

Romans 8:15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

No one who knows me has any way of knowing my earthly father through me. My hope is that they will know my heavenly Father through me. In order for that to happen, I need to reflect the Father. I can only be seen for what I am and it is important to me that they know my Abba Father.

I am not ashamed of my earthly father but I did not come to know God the Father through knowing him. I am not even sure I ever knew my earthly father in the same way I know my Heavenly Father. God has revealed Himself in ways my earthy father either could not or would not. We bother suffered PTSD so I can identify with the why of it all. Intimacy wasn’t possible for us and I will never have it now that he is gone.

My Heavenly Father lives, my Savior lives, and the intimacy we have is more than I could ever have imagined possible. They know me thru and thru. I know a lot and so little. I open my tiny little heart and They fill it.

Ephesians 3:19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.