My Name Is Jude...

Steadfast in the Faith: A Message from a Brother of the Lord

To the faithful called, loved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ,

I am Jude, often known alongside James as one of the “brothers of the Lord.” While the exact nature of my relationship to Jesus Christ has been a subject of much discussion, whether his sibling or close associate, my commitment to His teachings and to spreading His message of love and redemption is the essence of my life’s work.

My life, though intimately connected to the story of Jesus, has often been overshadowed by the magnitude of His ministry. I, too, initially grappled with the divine nature of my brother, the Messiah, struggling to reconcile the familiar face of my youth with the Savior of mankind. My journey from skepticism to belief was marked by witnessing His miracles, teachings, and, ultimately, His resurrection.

“Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?” (Mark 6:3, ESV) These words, once spoken in doubt by those who knew us, became a testament to the extraordinary plan God had for our ordinary family.

I am sometimes confused with Judas, one of the twelve disciples, but my identity is distinct. My message, encapsulated in the epistle bearing my name, is an urgent call to contend for the faith against false teachings and immoral behaviors that had crept into the early Church. “I felt compelled to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people.” (Jude 1:3, NIV)

My epistle, though brief, is potent, emphasizing the need for vigilance, faithfulness, and the pursuit of holiness. I warn against those who pervert the grace of God into a license for immorality, reminding believers of the judgments that befell those who rebelled against God in the past. “In a similar way, Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns gave themselves up to sexual immorality and perversion. They serve as an example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire.” (Jude 1:7, NIV)

In a time when the Church faced internal and external challenges, my voice joined those of the other apostles in calling believers to remember the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. My exhortation to “build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit” (Jude 1:20, NIV) is as relevant today as it was then.

To you, beloved in Christ, my life and letter are a reminder to hold fast to the truth of the Gospel, to discern carefully, and to live a life that reflects the love and holiness of our Lord. In a world rife with confusion and moral ambiguity, be anchors of truth, beacons of hope, and vessels of Christ’s transformative love.

May you find encouragement in my words to persevere in your faith, to extend mercy to those who doubt, and to keep yourselves in God’s love as you await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.

In the service of our Lord and Savior,

Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and a brother of James.

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