Begin with 2 minutes of silence and stillness before God.

Like most of the other epistles, Jude derives its name from its author, who most identify as the half-brother of Jesus and younger sibling to James. Like his brother, Jude was a late adopter of the faith. It seems he did not become a follower of Jesus until after Jesus’ death and resurrection. Jude was a skeptic who became a powerful follower of Jesus. Dedicating his life to the Gospel, he traveled from city to city sharing the good news about Jesus. He was humble—not boasting about his familial relationship to Jesus, identifying himself only as a “Servant of Jesus Christ and a brother of James.” 

Jude wrote this brief letter with a great sense of urgency. He was concerned by false teachers and their followers who distorted the teachings of Jesus, led Followers away from the truth, and caused division within the church. Jude’s letter emphasizes the importance of humility and obedience and encourages Jesus Followers to stand firm in the faith, discern and fight against false teachings, be merciful and loving to those who doubt, and help those deceived by false teachers return to the truth.

I often hear people describe this current time in history as quite possibly the worst. While there is much evidence to support this idea, I would argue that the evils of today are just some variant of the evils of yesterday. Jude lived through the horrors perpetuated by a corrupt Roman government, and he reminded Jesus Followers in his letter that even those evils were nothing new (vs 14-15). The cunning darkness of sin that sprouted in Genesis 3 has grown since the garden and will continue to grow and spread until Jesus returns. At the same time, the piercing light and hope and truth of the Gospel grows and spreads too —when Jesus Followers faithfully walk in truth and in love. 

In verses 20-23, Jude reminds them how to contend for the faith, how to keep the light and hope and truth of the Gospel aflame in the darkness. He encourages Believers to continually grow in their understanding of saving faith (which is not our own effort but by God’s grace) and to prayerfully welcome the Holy Spirit to sanctify our lives making us more like Jesus every day. He implores them to remember how loved they are by God, knowing our understanding of this love motivates obedience to God. And all this, he says, as we “await His return” — Jude knew our trust in this promise sustains our faith.

Jude emphasizes the role of mature believers to gently come alongside others less far on their faith journey, urging mature believers to have mercy on those who doubt and who are tempted by false teaching. I love this. I empathize with skeptics, late adopters, people like Jude—and I think he was tenderly reminded of his own journey when he wrote these words! I can think of several women in my life who’ve lovingly held the light up to my circumstances to remind me of the truth and the love of God when I have been full of doubt. 

He also urges them to rescue young believers who have been led astray and are now on a path of destruction. He challenges mature Christians to guide them back to truth humbly and with great compassion. This is the responsibility of accountability in the faith —and it is one of the most loving things we can do for each other as Believers. I am thankful for women in different seasons of my life who have come to me with such compassion and humility, urging me to notice how I have wandered off the path and encouraged me to return to the truth. 
Jude concludes his letter with a beautiful benediction and reminder of the power of God to protect His people even in the darkest of times (verses 24-25). I love the final verses of this passage. I am reassured that it is God who protects, strengthens, and sanctifies our lives. It’s God’s presence that sustains joy in times of suffering. His glory, majesty, power, and authority prevail over every evil, always. 

Take two minutes to reflect in silence.                                                                                                         

Reflection:                                                                                                                                                                      

• What might it look like to come alongside a younger believer? Pray that God would bring to mind someone you might walk with, then consider how you might invite them to walk with you.
• Perhaps you’ve been baptized in the last year or taken the first steps on your faith journey. Is there someone you might ask to come alongside you? —Someone who might encourage and challenge you as you grow to know, love, and follow Jesus? Our faith is never meant to be lived alone. Pray that God would bring to mind someone who might walk with you, then consider how you might ask them to do so. 
• Prayer: Jesus, we thank You that throughout history, even in times of immense darkness, You are never absent. You are always good and You are forever powerful. We are grateful for opportunities to engage in the fight against the darkness. Give us the courage to walk in truth, and give us the grace needed to walk with others in love so the light and hope of the Gospel may grow deep roots in our church and spread wide throughout the world. 
  
  
  

Family Devo: Jude 1

By: Jana Whittington

Today, we're going to talk about an amazing letter in the Bible. In this letter, Jude reminds us of God's incredible love and protection. Just like how our parents keep us safe, God watches over us with His loving arms. No matter what happens, we can trust that God is always there for us. Jude also encourages us to stay strong in our faith. Imagine your faith as a precious treasure. We must hold onto it tightly! Even when things get tough, we can trust God and His promises. He gives us the strength to stand firm in our beliefs.

Jude tells us about some people who made wrong choices in the past. They didn't follow God's ways and did bad things. But, we can learn from their mistakes. Just like when we make mistakes, God forgives us when we ask for His forgiveness. He wants us to choose goodness, kindness, and love. Jude also reminds us to help and encourage one another. We can be like a team, cheering each other on in our faith journey. Whether it's in school, at home, or with our friends, let's always be kind and caring, just like Jesus taught us.

Prayer: Dear God, thank You for Your love and protection. Help us hold onto our faith like a treasure. Guide us to make good choices and forgive us when we make mistakes. May we always be kind and encouraging to others. In Jesus' name, Amen.