Jude and Jesus

“This letter is from Jude, a slave of Jesus Christ and a brother of James. I am writing to all who have been called by God the Father, who loves you and keeps you safe in the care of Jesus Christ. May God give you more and more mercy, peace, and love.” ‭‭Jude‬ ‭1:1-2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The opening statement of this book makes a clear declaration of who Jesus is to Jude. Jesus is his Master. Jude is a slave. His slavery isn't one imposed upon him by lawful obligation. Jude is a bond slave. A bond slave is one who has been emancipated (declared free - read about in Exodus21:2-6), yet chooses to serve. Jude is a slave of Christ because he chooses to be. No one, or nothing else, is as important to Jude as his Master, Jesus! Jude loves Jesus and desires to serve Him. He submits his life in service to his King. The most interesting thing here, to me, is that Jude is the biological brother of Jesus, yet he never says that. “Then they scoffed, “He’s just the carpenter’s son, and we know Mary, his mother, and his brothers—James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭13:55‬ ‭NLT‬‬ Judas is "Jude" for short, not to be confused with Judas Iscariot. We also see here, in Matthew, that three others are named. James is the one who is widely accepted as the one who becomes Pastor in Jerusalem (see Acts 15) and writes the book of James. Can you imagine being the brother of Jesus? This must have been quite an experience. Imagine feeling like something was different about Him as you grew up. Then, as He became an adult and began His ministry, watching His mannerisms, His teaching, His miracles. I'm sure that there were some natural struggles with trying to place all of this. In Mark 6 we read that Jesus couldn't do many mighty works in Nazareth (His hometown) because of unbelief. Ultimately, however, after His physical death, burial, and resurrection, apparently His brothers became His servants. They recognized Him for who He was and is!!! Jesus was born of a virgin, named Mary, as her firstborn. Following Jesus birth, Joseph and Mary had other biological children. Jude was one of them. Jesus is the Son of God. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit (see Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23; Luke Chapters 1 and 2). Mary gave physical birth to the God-Man. Jesus was God in human flesh (this is called the "incarnation"). Jude was his earthly, biological sibling. Perhaps some of you didn't know that Jesus had these siblings. He did! (see the above reference and Matthew 12:47; Mark 3:32; 6:3; Luke 8:20). Mark 6:3 tells us that He had biological sisters also. Although Jude was Jesus biological brother, he never refers to Jesus as his brother. Jude only recognizes Jesus as His Lord and Master. This was not because he didn't want others to associate them together, it was because he knew the Divinity of Jesus. Jude knew that he, himself, was a mere man. He knew Jesus was so much more!!! Anyone who submits to Jesus Christ as their Lord and Master is part of the family of God. This make us brothers and sisters. Through the blood of Jesus Christ we are made family. Do you recognize Him for who He is?? He is my Lord and Master!!! I am His bond slave!