Jude Chapter 1
By Pastor Neil
Scripture: Jude 1:1-2; 24-25.
Greetings and Blessings
One of life’s important moments is when we come into the presence of people we know and love. The joy of recognition and acceptance are obvious to anyone who sees it happen. We even say that “eyes light up” when we see someone we love. In his very short epistle, Jude gives us a wonderful treat as he shows us his heart as he writes to people who matter deeply to him.
Jude begins his short letter as he writes “To those who have been called, and who are loved by God the father and kept by Jesus Christ”. Jude is going to share some “hard” things with them in the body of the letter and it is important that he remind them of his love for them. Delivering some difficult information with people is never easy. But it is infinitely easier, and certainly more effective, if we know those we are addressing. Jude reminds them of who they are and how God thinks about them. If you will take time to read the body of the letter, you will see that he had some very difficult things to deal with, things he could not simply allow to exist. His task is made bearable because of his love for them. Before he launches into the hard part of his message to them, he wishes them to have mercy, peace and love in abundance.
I’m thinking this morning especially about parents who often have to work with children who are performing well, perhaps at school or in their family relationships, or in some other important phase of their development. When we have a strong relationship of love with them, it makes our job a very different one from what it is for a parent who does not have a good relationship with her/his children. When we cherish others, genuinely, then we have laid a groundwork on which we can stand when we speak about the difficult issues of life.
I will leave the reading of this short epistle in its entirety to you and call our attention to the closing sentences of the letter. This beautiful doxology is one that is frequently spoken by pastors at the close of a worship service or other important event as a way of blessing those who are there. Jude says:
“To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy—to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen”. In those words are the joyous hope we have in Christ. We do not have the power to keep ourselves from failure, from falling. Only God can do this. Furthermore, Christ is able to bring us into the presence of God without fault and with great joy—none of that would happen if it were to be done in our own strength. The wonderful attributes of God give us our great hope—glory, majesty, power, authority—these belong to God both now and forever. In these beautiful words are wrapped up the glorious hope we all have in Christ. Through Christ, our Savior, come all the benefits God has prepared for us. “Praise God from whom all blessings flow…!”
Saturate your heart and mind today with these glorious affirmations .
