Be faithful until death.
—Revelation 2:10
James and John were brothers. They had much in common: both were apostles; both were members of the threesome closest to Jesus; both were ambitious for privileged positions in the coming kingdom.
But the direction their lives took were vastly different. James was the first apostle to die; John was the last. James died a martyr’s death at a young age—probably no more than forty; John died of natural causes in old age—probably close to 100.
Seemingly, James got the worst of it. But did he? Long life is beset with challenges that early departure doesn’t face: disease, debilitation, heartache, grief.
But be reminded that there was one other thing James and John had in common: both were faithful until death. Be like them in that.
Finish well.