The Book of Jude

The book of Jude (literally Judas) was written by Jude who was one of the

four brothers of Jesus. (Most likely!) There are actually six people names

“Judas” mentioned in the New Testament. There’s even two that have

brothers named James. Most Bible commentators land on this being the

half-brothers of Jesus but, I would say, that is not a hill to die on. It is most

likely the brother of Jesus, just given the content of the letter, but it doesn’t

have to be. For the purpose of this study through this short letter, I will

assume this is Judas, the half-brother of Jesus.

Jesus had four half-brothers (same mother, not the same father) according

to Matthew 13:55 and Mark 6:3. His brothers names were James, Joses,

Judas/Jude, and Simon. (I guess they got tired of the all the “J’s!” Although

there are no J’s in the Hebrew. His name actually starts with an “I.”) Jesus

also had sisters according to Mark 6:3, however they are not named in the

scriptures. Tradition gives them the names (Janet and Latoya, HA!) Mary,

Miriam, Martha, Salome and His baby sister Ruth, or Baby Ruth. True

story.

Jude is indeed short for Judas which was the name of Jesus’ half-brother

however it is most likely due to the stigma given to the name by Judas

Iscariot that we have his name given here as Jude and not Judas. Judas was

actually a very common name in the time of Jesus and in the original text it

is actually Judas or “ioudas” which loosely means, “Of Judah,” or “One

of praise.”

Jesus’ brothers, we read in John Chapter 7, during His earthly ministry

were critical of Him and didn’t believe He was the Messiah, the Son of

God. We aren’t sure why, that’s not given to us in the scriptures, but

certainly understandable after growing up with Him and no doubt having it

rough as His brother. “Why isn’t your room always clean, like Jesus’? Why

don’t you get straight A’s…, like Jesus.”

Get up in the morning and He had built a perfect rocking horse instead of

sleeping. (“I got a whole 40 minutes.” Oh wait, that’s Elf.) At any rate,

what we see is that after Jesus was crucified and rose from the grave,

everything changes. His brother James becomes the prominent leader of the

headquarter Christian church in Jerusalem and there at his side is Jude. In

fact, we read in Acts 1:14, “They all continued with one accord in prayer

and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with

His brothers.”

James would write the Epistle of James and Jude would right this short, 21

verse, epistle himself. We aren’t given a timing and there aren’t enough

clues in the letter itself to nail down a specific date, so most place this book

somewhere between 60 and 90 AD. No location either but most likely

written from Jerusalem.

The letter is written to the early church and the point of this letter in theme

is to stand against false teachers and call the church to hold to sound

doctrine, defending the truth even aggressively giving several examples of

the seriousness of error.

Jude Chapter 1 Verse 1

 Jude introduces himself and his credibility for his letter not as the

brother of Jesus but as a bondservant of Jesus, and I quite love that.

Saying that you are a servant to the King of kings and Lord of lords is

a good thing. It means that you have things pretty straightened out.

Because to serve any other is to serve something or someone entirely

less than.

 But I don’t read wisdom in what Jude has written only. I see love and

admiration. Here’s the thing. It is the right and good thing to do to be

a servant of God, no doubt. But what if God, let’s call Him the Master,

your Boss…, what if your Master is so good, in fact, what if He loves

you so unconditionally and so purely, that He would gladly give

Himself for you? Then would you only serve Him because it is right,

because He is God?

 Hebrews 12:2 says, not only is Jesus the Author and the Finisher of

our faith, but, “Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the

cross…” The joy of being with you…

 This word for bondservant in the Greek is a familiar one. It is the word

“doulos.” It was a term used for a slave that had been freed by his

master but because of the bond they share, the slave offers his freedom

as a gift returning it to his master to stay with him for the rest of his

life. And to seal the deal, the master would pierce the ear of the

servant. And that servant and master would be inseparable for life

after that.

 Two people that in complete freedom and liberty had chosen each

other in a way that could not be unchosen. A covenant, two ways but

individually one way from each. This is the tone of Jude’s statement.

He is a servant of Jesus not because it is demanded of him and not

because it is right and good and wise, but because Jesus’ love is

undiscoverable anywhere else. Jude has found his true value in his

commitment to the One who values him truly.

 Brother of James who has found the same thing. Fellowship alongside

of brotherhood, family in the Lord and family in the flesh, not much

better.

 To those who are called. I love this word. Who still answers their

phones? HA! Right!? What do you have to do when you are called or

nothing happens? You have to answer! To those who are called! The

word in the Greek means to be invited. God has invited every

“whosoever” that has ever lived. Calling upon you to not come be an

obedient slave but a beloved son or daughter of incredible, and

revealed, value!

 To those who are sanctified by God the Father. Answer the call and

holiness enters. That’s what that word “sanctified” is literally in the

Greek. It’s the Greek word, “hagiazo,” meaning “holied!” We are

literally holied by God when we answer His call! This is the Gospel of

salvation by grace through faith!

 I am not made holy by my good works. My good works and the

capability of doing anything good that doesn’t perish with the process

are a result of something that has been given to me by Jesus. The

Author and the Finisher of my faith. Sanctification and the process of

becoming holy is by God the Father. Pace is up to me! But the

process is entirely provided by God!

 And so called, sanctified and PRESERVED! YES! Guarded and kept

and secured in such a way as to prevent from escaping…, the word

implies the strength of a fortress or full military might! Called, I

answered. Sanctified by the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit!

Then preserved, kept, secured by Him until the end! This is the master

that Jude delights to serve!

Jude Chapter 1 Verse 2

 Mercy, peace and love be multiplied to you. Not only that we have

received mercy through Jesus, which is relief and pardon of what we

are deserving; Not only that we have received peace with a perfect

God through Jesus Christ; And not only have we become the

recipients of the love of God that WAS there for us since the

foundation of the world just not yet received and known until we

answered the call….

 Not only that we have received that but now it is the heart of Jude to

share what he has received. A sure sign of someone set to freedom in

his heart of hearts. A person that has truly received grace, allowed

themselves to by faith say yes to God…, yes, I receive the love that

You have committed to me, truly received mercy…, anyone that has

received those things for themselves cannot help but share it with

others…

 Ok, on just an entirely practical point! If you have received the love of

God, the peace of God, the mercy of God All Mighty, there is NO

way that you can contain all that yourself! You will overflow because

God is greater than you! An element of a critical Christian is a spirit

of, “I am bigger than God!” Because yes, I am saved and yes, I am

under grace but its just enough for me, I don’t have any spare grace

for you!

 Crazy! We have infinite and eternal amounts of love, grace, mercy and

peace to give! You just gotta remove that pride, fear, unbelief barrier

and pick up the pace in terms of your sanctification!