Called, Loved, Kept (Jude 1)

Jude is one of those books in the Bible that you have heard of but probably haven’t read much. It’s one of those short letters that doesn’t even have chapters, only verses. It is the second to last book in the Bible, right before Revelation.

Even when we do read a short book like Jude, or any New Testament letter for that matter, we usually skim right over the first few verses. After all, they’re just introductory, and they don’t contain anything useful or theological, right? Wrong. Let’s look at Jude 1…

Jude begins by giving his name. While we sign our letters at the end, the first century Greco-Roman style was to identify yourself at the start. He then gives two statements to clarify who he is: “a slave of Jesus Christ” and “a brother of James…”

1. “A slave of Jesus Christ”

This is a common identification that other New Testament authors such as Paul, James, and Peter use. We often assume it is a statement of humility, but in reality it is a statement of status, position, and authority. Slaves in first-century Rome were not free and were considered property, but this doesn't mean that they didn’t have any status or authority. The slaves of the emperors had tremendous authority and were well respected because they represented Caesar, and to disrespect Caesar’s property was to disrespect him. So in calling himself a slave of Christ Jesus, Jude points to the fact that his status and authority comes from none other than the resurrected Lord. Aristotle called a slave a “living tool,” and Jude viewed himself as such, working for his Master.

2. “A brother of James”

Without any doubt, this James can be identified as the leader of the Jerusalem church, the author of the New Testament letter, and the brother of Jesus (making Jude the brother of Jesus as well; cf. Matt. 13:55). It is clear that James was a man of authority, and in the first century authority could be transferred from one family member to another, giving the younger and lesser known brother Jude the status needed to have himself heard rather than ignored.

After identifying himself and declaring his authority to write such a letter, Jude goes on to tell who this letter is addressed to. Most New Testament letters are addressed to a certain person or church, but this one is different. Instead of giving names or geographical markers, Jude identifies his audience in three ways: Those who are “called,” “loved,” and “kept…”

1. “The called/invited”

In Jude’s time, formal banquets were a social norm, and a guest had to be invited before he/she could attend. All throughout Scripture, in both the Old and New Testaments, the kingdom of God is likened to one of these banquets. By addressing his readers as those “called” or “invited,” he assures them of their seat at this end of time kingdom banquet. They are caught up in the plan of God; they did not choose God but God chose them. In light of their situation and their struggle for the faith, this fact is comforting for both Jude and his readers.

2. “Loved by God the Father”

This is also a very comforting fact, and it only makes sense that God loves those whom He calls. God loves His children in the good times and in the bad. He loves them when they are faithful and not so faithful. His love is unconditional.

3. “Kept by/for Jesus Christ”

Of course only one translation should be taken, but both are feasible. Being kept or guarded “by” Jesus would mean He is the one who protects believers in their day to day lives. Being kept “for” Jesus would mean that believers are kept safe so that they will one day be united with Christ. While both statements are theologically sound, the context of the letter may suggest that the readers are being guarded by Jesus while in the presence of false teachers.

Wow! Do you see how much we miss when we skim over those introductory verses???

Quickly, in conclusion, what can we take from this?

First of all, we aren’t Jude, and we probably aren’t writing anyone a letter, but we can identify ourselves as slaves of Christ Jesus. And that is a position of humility, but it is also one of rank and responsibility. With Jesus as our master, we must follow His ways and not the ways of this world. We must obey God and not men. This also means that our status and standing in society does not stem from who we are or what we have done, but who He is and what He has done.

Secondly, like the recipients of this letter, those of us who are believers are also called by God. We have been invited and given a seat at the banquet in His kingdom. He loves us and we can be assured that Jesus Christ is guarding us and protecting us until the day we recline at that table with Him as our host. Situations will arise and our faith will be put to the test, but we must remain in God’s love and trust that Jesus will carry us through.

Before you move on to other things, take just a second to thank God for calling you, for loving you, and for keeping you.

Don't Stop Believing (Hebrews)

“Don’t stop believin’…Hold on to that feelin’…”

I know that after reading those two lines you can hear Journey’s popular song in your head. Everyone knows those lines. My wife and sister recently sang a karaoke version of this song on a cruise, and the whole crowd joined in. A few weeks ago I heard some junior high girls singing it at the top of their lungs while riding through the Target parking lot. Like I said, everyone knows the words to “Don’t Stop Believing.”

But did you know that the phrase “Don’t stop believing” is also one of the major themes of the book of Hebrews? It might not use those exact words, but the point is clear!

The book of Hebrews alternates between sections of exposition and exhortation. After the author teaches about Jesus, he then takes time to exhort his audience based on that teaching. The main message of the teaching sections is that Jesus is our great high priest (1:3; 2:17; 4:14-15; 5:5-6, 10; 6:20; 7:15-17, 23-28; 8:1-6; 9:11-14; 10:11-14, 21). The main exhortation comes by way of five “warning passages” (2:1-4; 3:7-4:13; 5:11-6:20; 10:26-39; 12:14-29), and all five warnings make a very similar plea: DON’T STOP BELIEVING!

This is made clear by phrases such as, “We must therefore pay even more attention to what we have heard, so that we will not drift away” (2:1), “Watch out, brothers, so that there won’t be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart that departs from the living God” (3:12), “We want each of you to demonstrate the same diligence for the final realization of your hope, so that you won’t become lazy, but imitators of those who inherit the promises through faith and perseverance” (6:11-12), “But we are not those who draw back and are destroyed, but those who have faith and obtain life” (10:39), and, “See that there isn’t any immoral or irreverent person like Esau, who sold his birthright in exchange for one meal” (12:16).

There are also several pleas to “hold on,” “hold firmly,” and “hold fast” (3:6, 14; 4:14; 6:18; 10:23). The author is begging his audience to not let go of Jesus and the commitment they have made to Him. They need to persevere. They need to keep on keepin’ on.

And today I want to encourage you to do the same thing. I would never tell you that following Christ is easy. Jesus Himself never told anyone that either. In fact, He told His disciples, “You will have suffering in this world” (John 16:33). Anyone want to say amen?

But in the midst of the tests, trials, and temptations that we go through, we can’t give up. We can’t stop believing. Why? Because Jesus is ready and willing to help us. Hebrews 2:18 tells us that, “Since He Himself was tested and has suffered, He is able to help those who are tested.” Hebrews 4:15 tells us that, “We do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tested in every way as we are, yet without sin.”

This journey we call life might challenge us, but God is using those challenges to change us.

Let me leave you with this thought from Hebrews 12:1-2, “Therefore since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily ensnares us, and run with endurance the race that lies before us, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that lay before Him endured a cross and despised the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of God’s throne.”