Family Transformation

His brethren therefore said unto him, Depart hence, and go into Judaea, that thy disciples also may see the works that thou doest. For there is no man that doeth any thing in secret, and he himself seeketh to be known openly. If thou do these things, shew thyself to the world. For neither did his brethren believe in him. (John 7:3-5)

Do you have family members that aren’t sure if they believe in Jesus? You’re not alone. Jesus had the same issues in His own family. Jesus’ own siblings expressed doubt in His identity and purpose.

One of those brothers was a man named Jude. This is the same man who wrote the epistle of Jude. In the intro to that letter, he identified himself as a servant of Christ and a brother of James. James and Jude were both half-brothers of Jesus. These were the siblings who grew up in the same household, who witnessed His upbringing and possibly heard of the things that were being done, and yet, they found it difficult to believe in His divinity during His earthly ministry.

This true story of Jesus’ own family might resonate with many of us who have faced skepticism from within our own families or communities regarding our faith. Just as Jesus faced this challenge within His own household, we, too, may encounter resistance or disbelief from those closest to us. But there's a profound lesson in this story.

Both brothers turned to faith in Jesus, but only after the resurrection of Jesus. That tells us that salvation has nothing to do with the family we come from, but from the personal relationship we have with the power of His resurrection in our lives. So, if you face doubt or disbelief from those close to you, take heart. Just as Jesus' own family came to believe, there is hope that your faith and the evidence of God's work in your life can touch the hearts of those around you.

Practical Application

Pray for your unbelieving family members. Pray the Ephesians 1 prayer over them: that the eyes of their understanding will be enlightened, and that God would send laborers across their path to share with them the Gospel they can receive.

Mark 3:21; John 7:10

Multiplying Peace

Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied. (Jude 1:2)

In Greek, the word peace is eirene and can mean the stopping of war, the end of a conflict, the cessation of strife, and the dawn of a season of rebuilding and restoration, but it’s even more! Eirene is a state of tranquility where chaos no longer controls you. It’s a time of calm assurance that replaces disorder and unrest.

Jesus died to give us peace with God and the peace of God. Think about this peace as the calm in the eye of a storm. When life's challenges rage around us, God’s peace remains unshaken. In fact, the Hebrew concept of shalom (translated as peace) means completeness, wholeness, and tranquility of the soul that is impervious to external turmoil and pressure.

So, when Jude wished us mercy and peace, he did more than simply express good wishes. He reminded us that this peace, rooted in God's mercy, can anchor us through life's toughest challenges. It's a peace that holds firm even when everything around us seems to crumble.

Watch any news station and you can observe chaos and uncertainty that are daily on the minds of people in the world. But amid these challenges and questions, Jude's message remains true.

God’s peace doesn't deny the existence of troubles; instead, it enables us to go through them with power and purpose. His peace is birthed from His mercy. He gives us mercy because of His great love. God’s desire is for these three: peace, mercy, and love to continually be multiplied in the believer's life.

Practical Application

God loves you, but don’t expect God to multiply peace in your life if you fill your mind with information about situations that cause anxiety. Monitor what you let in your eye gate and ear gate, and if stress shows up, declare His peace over your heart and your mind.

1 Peter 1:2; 2 Peter 1:2

Sanctified, Preserved, and Called for a Purpose

Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called. (Jude 1:1)

Jude, writing his epistle to Christians between 67-80, A.D., mentioned that they were all sanctified by God the Father, preserved in Jesus Christ, and called. These powerful words are not just to those in the first century, but to everyone who follows Jesus.

As a follower of Jesus, Jude identified himself as a doulos in Greek. Doulos means a servant, or more accurately, a slave of Jesus Christ. This isn't a reference to forced servitude, but a willing and complete surrender to the Lord in every aspect of life. It is devotion to God as Master of our directions, decisions, and connections. Although Jude knew Jesus well as His half-brother, once he accepted Him as Lord, he served Jesus selflessly and with his whole heart.

Jude called those who follow Jesus sanctified. This is the Greek word hagiazo, which means to be made holy and purified. Sanctification is not a particular denomination; it's a transformation that happens within every born-again believer. It's how we continue to become more like Christ, and it sets us apart for His service. Jude said followers of God are sanctified and preserved in Jesus Christ. Preserved is the Greek term tereo and it means an unwavering vigilance. It describes the diligence of soldiers guarding something of great value or shepherds protecting their sheep against all odds.

In the same way, Jesus stands guard over us with power, purpose, and commitment. His protection never wanes, even in the face of the worst adversity. When we face challenges, we can trust that Jesus is by our side, guarding and preserving us through it all.

Practical Application

Jude's message to all followers of Christ is clear: we are sanctified, set apart for God's service, preserved by Christ's unwavering protection, and called with a distinct purpose to serve Him with all our hearts and minds.

Luke 6:16; Acts 1:13