From Jude, a slave of Jesus Christ and brother of James, to those who are called, wrapped in the love of God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ. May mercy, peace, and love be lavished on you!
Jude 1:1-2 NET
Jude describes himself here as a slave of Christ and brother of James. Tradition identifies this James as the author of the letter bearing his name and the leader of the early church in Jerusalem (Acts 15:13-21). He was also a half-brother of Jesus (Matt. 13:55, Gal. 1:19), making Jude also a half-brother to Jesus. Yet Jude was humbly content to identify as Jesus’ slave rather than brother.
Jude writes to those who have been called. Regardless of how you understand God’s calling, these are believers that Jude is writing to. He further describes them as being wrapped in the love of God the Father and kept for Jesus.
Wrapped in the love of God. What a wonderful place to be. The picture here is of God, our heavenly Father, with his arms wrapped tightly around us. His embrace assures us of his love. And it can calm our fears, knowing that nothing can get to us through his protective arms. There is no place better or more secure than wrapped in the loving embrace of our Father.
Jude’s prayer for us, who are wrapped in the love of God, is that God’s mercy, peace, and love would be lavished on us. Not given grudgingly or in a limited fashion. But lavished on us. The one who has us wrapped in his love will shower his mercy, peace, and love on us.
This world is a generally hostile place to those who follow Jesus as Lord. And it is easy to grow discouraged. But when you do, remember where you are–wrapped in the love of God. And take heart, knowing that if God is for you, who can be against you (Rom. 8:31-32).
