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The Lord Jesus, after his resurrection, appeared personally to five hundred persons on one occasion (1Co 15:6). This nucleus must surely have alerted thousands to anticipate daily the sudden appearance of Jesus. When James writes, “The Lord’s coming is near” (v.8), he is using the same verb that John the Baptist and Jesus used in announcing the approach of the kingdom of God (Mt 3:1; 4:17). The perfect tense indicates that the arrival of the kingdom is an imminent reality; surely the kingdom was present in power in the ministry of Jesus.
James may be suggesting that, although Jesus is not visibly present, his imminent presence was a reality in their midst. Did not Jesus say, “Where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them” (Mt 18:20)? They must practice the presence of the Lord, as they anticipate his visible presence. If they do, they must know that he is present both to encourage and to judge, for the Judge is standing at the door! (v.9).
The distinctive attitude of the Christian community is patience. The Greek word suggests “great-heartedness.” Irritating and disconcerting things do not change the settled condition of the heart. Anxieties cannot disturb, for the heart is at peace; but vigilance is still required (“stand firm,” v.8). The farmer cannot make it rain, but he rests on the “promise” of nature with “confident expectancy” (Tasker, NBD or TNTC, 119).
James would have them identify with the prophets, OT men of the highest order. Men like Jeremiah were subject to unpredictable experiences, but they maintained a remarkable equanimity, for God’s presence was assured them. If they are considered blessed, then the Christian who knows the presence of the Lord in varied circumstances may also know blessedness. Job, too, is used as an example, but his patience involved the exercise of endurance. His last words testify to an unusual sense of God’s presence: “My ears had heard of you, but now my eyes have seen you” (42:5). Assuredly the Lord is working in the community out of compassion as they cultivate uncommon patience.