Humble Servant

Jude 1-3 Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and a brother of James,
to those who have been called, who are loved by God the Father and kept by Jesus Christ: 2 Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance. 3 Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt I had to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints.  
 
THERE are three reasons for spending a few days in this very short letter. One is to learn a bit about Jude. In the Greek language his name is Judas. This was a very common name, and at least eight different New Testament men have that name, including two of Jesus’ disciples. As is true, then, of us today, when someone says our name, there must be additional ways to identify us. Jude does so with, “brother of James”. To make such a brief reference to one man means all who read this letter will know who James is. This would be the church leader James as referenced in Acts 12:17 who also authored the epistle James. Both men are identified as Jesus’ half-brothers in Matthew 13:55b “Isn't his mother's name Mary, and aren't his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas?” Jude, then is Jesus’ half-brother.
    Who is Jude? He is a servant of Jesus. As we have seen how Jesus has changed John’s life, it’s vital to understand the ways God changes all of our lives. The Holy Spirit definitely changed James and Jude. None of Joseph and Mary’s sons believed their half-brother Jesus was the Son of God during his ministry. They, as so many, came to faith after Jesus rose from the grave and ascended to heaven. Acts 1:14 They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.
    Who is Jude? Third, Jude is humble. He identifies himself with James – not directly as Jesus’ physical half-brother. He is humble to say he has been called. Jude knows God’s authority on his life. With “mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance” Jude is a true disciple who loves God and his church. Jude is also a teacher. He is about to warn, as John did, a church to stand in faith.
    We read Jude to know and learn from a faithful disciple, so we can be that way, too.
 
Life Thought: Recognize whose you are.