To those who are called, sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ:
Mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you. (Jude 1:1-2)
This one chapter book is small, but full of wisdom and should be studied carefully. First, who is Jude? The reference to being and brother of James lets us know that he is one of Jesus' half-brothers. James wrote the book of James, and Paul referred to James to the church in Galatia, But I saw none of the other apostles except James, the Lord’s brother. (Galatians 1:19) We also learned from the gospel books that Mary and Joseph had children of their own. When Jesus went to teach in Nazareth, the people said, Is this not the carpenter’s son? Is not His mother called Mary? And His brothers James, Joses, Simon, and Judas [Jude]? And His sisters, are they not all with us? (Matthew 13:55-56; Mark 6:3)
Also, after Jesus told His disciples to wait in Jerusalem for the Holy Spirit to come, Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey. And when they had entered, they went up into the upper room where they were staying: Peter, James, John, and Andrew; Philip and Thomas; Bartholomew and Matthew; James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot; and Judas the son of James. These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers. (Acts 1:12-14)
Let's not get confused. A lot of people had the same name back then. That's why their relation to a relative is commonly referenced. Judas the son of James is a different Judas and James. This Judas is one of the twelve disciples, but not Judas Iscariot who betrayed Jesus; and this Judas father is named James. The brothers James and Jude we're talking about again are the children of Mary and Joseph; and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.
We've studied previously that Jesus did not have an easy childhood, and that it got even worse for Him as an adult. His family wasn't very understanding or accepting of His professing to being the Son of God either. But when His own people heard about this, they went out to lay hold of Him, for they said, “He is out of His mind.” ... Then His brothers and His mother came, and standing outside they sent to Him, calling Him. And a multitude was sitting around Him; and they said to Him, “Look, Your mother and Your brothers are outside seeking You.” But He answered them, saying, “Who is My mother, or My brothers?” And He looked around in a circle at those who sat about Him, and said, “Here are My mother and My brothers! For whoever does the will of God is My brother and My sister and mother.” (Mark 3:21, 31-35)
At one point when He had gone home to visit after traveling and performing miracles, his brothers even mocked Him. After these things Jesus walked in Galilee; for He did not want to walk in Judea, because the Jews sought to kill Him. Now the Jews’ Feast of Tabernacles was at hand. His brothers therefore said to Him, “Depart from here and go into Judea, that Your disciples also may see the works that You are doing. For no one does anything in secret while he himself seeks to be known openly. If You do these things, show Yourself to the world.” For even His brothers did not believe in Him. Then Jesus said to them, “My time has not yet come, but your time is always ready." (John 6:1-6)
What a testimony to the life of Jesus, that his brothers would go from believing that He was out of His mind and not believing in Him to being in the upper room with the disciples, being filled with the Holy Spirit, and then writing two of the most powerful books of the New Testament. Jesus warned us, “Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. For I have come to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’; and ‘a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.’ He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it." (Matthew 10:34-49)
When we hold to our faith and not waiver, people will respond to the convicting of the Holy Spirit in their own lives through what they witness from our lives in one of two ways: they will either accept Christ themselves; or deny Him, but not be able to speak against the Word of God. Jesus left us the perfect example, who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously;... (I Peter 2:23)
We have to be totally committed to God, not to family, friends, society, no one or nothing else, but only to God. And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.” But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. (I Peter 3:13-17)
Jesus was a perfect example to the young men in His life, His disciples and His brothers, and look how they were changed and in turn changed the world. Paul encouraged Titus to be that came kind of example that Jesus was to James and Jude; Likewise, exhort the young men to be sober-minded, in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you. (Titus 2:7-8)
And all of us, men and women, the elderly and the youth are to be that same kind of example in the world today. “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:14-16) Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life,... (Philippians 2:14-16) AMEN!
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