Do you remember Jude?

 
We don’t hear a lot about a New Testament writer by the name of Jude. How long has it been since you listened to a sermon or read a book based on the short little epistle that is tucked in the New Testament just before the final book? What struck me as I read his 25 verse letter is how he begins and how he closes. He begins by desiring for his readers three wonderful qualities, “mercy, peace and love” (v. 2) and closes with a lofty and meaningful doxology (vss. 24, 25) Granted that in between is what the editors of the NIV call “a brief but fiery expose of heretics,” however he begins his note with a deep desire that three of the richest blessings of life be experienced each day and closes with a spiritually rich doxology. I have the feeling that in his daily experience Jude walked in unbroken contact with his heavenly Father.
       As a “servant of Jesus Christ” (his brother), Jude wished for (or actually bestowed) eleos, eirene and agape “in abundance” for his readers. He wanted them to experience mercy (kindness or concern for one in need), peace (that sense of OT “shalom,” total well-being) and love (warm regard for and interest in another). How life changing it would be if all God’s children would view one another with a strong desire for their eleos, eirene and agape – I couldn’t help but put it that way because the words are so rich in meaning and transforming in experience. In a sense, viewed together, they express one transforming virtue:  a powerful relationship of warm and genuine concern for the other. So often, as we reflect on life as child of God, do we come away with the sense that God desires above all else our transformation from love of self to love of others. That is the Christian message. Jesus died to make it a reality, that is, to provide the power for a new kind of living in which the Spirit sets us - free from our ego-centrism to love not only God but also all those made in His image.
       And to close his letter, Jude provides us with a doxology so theologically moving that we will better off just to let it speak for itself. You may wish to read it aloud.
 
 “To the one who is able to keep you from falling away,
             and
 bring you into God’s glorious presence
             where with great joy you will
                      stand before him
                      without a single fault.
 
All glory to that one who alone is our God and Savior
             through Jesus Christ our Lord.
All glory, majesty, power and authority are his
             from before all time,
             in the present
                      and
             when time no longer exists!
 
AMEN!