Read my “Introduction to Jude” Here
Jude’s Introduction
(1a) The Author
Jude introduces himself as the brother of James and the servant, or bondslave, of Christ. There are several Jude’s mentioned in the New Testament, but along with others, I believe this is none other than Jude, the earthly brother of Jesus Christ.
Though Jesus’ family did not initially accept His claim to be the Messiah, it appears after His resurrection they did believe (John 7:5; Acts 1:14; 1 Corinthians 9:5). Never underestimate the importance of the resurrection when you witness, and even as an evidence to cling to for yourself.
Further, while we can look to an empty tomb, it is even more important to look to an authenticated life to prove the resurrection. In Acts 2 Peter emphasizes the resurrection not just based on the fact that Jesus’ body was gone, but on the life that Jesus had lived.
This is unlikely Jude, sometimes referred to as Thaddaeus, because in Jude 17-18 he refers to the apostles as they, rather than we.
(1b) The Audience
Jude refers to his readers in three ways: Sanctified by God the Father, Preserved in Jesus Christ, and Called.
Sanctified
What does it mean to be sanctified? It means we are purified, consecrated, made holy! As God’s children, adopted into His family, He has set us apart to Himself. When we consider the ramifications of this we must declare with Paul, “Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift.” – 2 Corinthians 9:15.
To many a saint is a rare thing, but in truth, if you are children of God then you are a saint, set apart to God and righteous by the completed work of Jesus Christ.
Preserved
Those who are set apart to God by Jesus Christ are preserved through Jesus Christ. He has saved us and He will keep us saved. Our salvation, secured by the power of God continues to keep us by that same power (1 Peter 1:4-5).
Called
No sinner initiates salvation. While a sinner knows something is not right, it takes a work of the Holy Spirit to bring conviction of their sin, Jesus’ righteousness, and the certainty of judgment to come. The calling of God to salvation is not limited, but through the Word anyone and everyone is called to know Jesus as Savior.
(2) Aspiration
As with any author who knows his audience, Jude had an aspiration for his readers. In line with the theme of threes that we’ve already noted, Jude lists three attributes of God that he wants his readers to know.
Mercy
Mercy does not give to a transgressor what they deserve. It withholds due punishment. In His mercy, God does not judge the sinner under one condition. That condition is if the sinner has received His free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:3; 2 Timothy 16, 18).
In the human realm, this will usually result in injustice in the judge. If mercy is shown it is a good thing, yet a crime goes unpunished. In God’s economy, mercy cannot act alone, resulting in a transgression against His holiness. This leads us to Jude’s next point, peace.
Peace
Before we receive God’s forgiveness through Jesus Christ, we are in a perpetual state of war against God. We are children of wrath. We are sinners. We have no peace with God and we do not have the peace of God. When Jesus died on the cross He bore the punishment we deserve. When we ask God to forgive us because of what Jesus accomplished on the cross, He has promised to forgive our sin and give us the righteousness of Jesus. Through Jesus, we receive peace with God and the peace of God.
But why? Why would God send His only begotten Son to purchase our peace and make us recipients of His mercy? Why would He pay so great a cost? Because of love.
Love
The love of God goes beyond our comprehension. We cannot grasp its length, breadth, depth, or height (Ephesians 3:18). Because God so loved the world He sent His Son to be our Savior (John 3:16). Now, whosoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved, they will receive God’s peace and enjoy the blessings of His mercy (Romans 10:13).
Conclusion
Jude’s old identity was that of a rebel and doubter, but now as a child of God, he points people to the blessings we have in God through Christ.
We’ve considered the identity of the human author who calls us to contend for the faith, in our next article we’ll look at his original intention and then finally the imperative that drove him.
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