One of the Church Fathers, Origen Adamantius, described the Epistle of Jude as “packed with sound words of heavenly grace.” Yet, this short letter (only 25 verses) isn’t terribly popular today. The Revised Common Lectionary only includes a few readings from Jude, and those are daily readings, not the ones we use on Sundays. E.g., the Tuesday after the Third Sunday of Advent in Year A includes some warnings and instructions (vv. 17-23) and the benediction (vv. 24-25).
The letter is addressed to a community who has been disturbed by false teachers (v. 4). “For some godless people have slipped in unnoticed among us, persons who distort the message about the grace of our God in order to excuse their immoral ways, and who reject Jesus Christ, our only Master and Lord. Long ago the scriptures predicted the condemnations they have received” (Good News Bible).
Although Jude is negative, sounds dated, and has an apocalyptic feel, I agree with Origen. These words pack a punch. The letter is full of “sound words of heavenly grace,” if we take the time to let them soak in and teach us about our faith. The overarching theme addresses false teachers who are leading the Christ-followers away. Today, our world is full of false teachers. Some are of our own making. Others are actual teachers or leaders who “distort the message about the grace of our God.”
Jude 17 says, “But remember, my friends, what you were told in the past by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ.” In other words, remember what you know. Keep Jesus’ teachings in the forefront of your mind. The gospel of Matthew provides a succinct reminder of the centerpiece of our faith in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). Reading and rereading the Sermon on the Mount enacts the Jude 17 response to false teachers.
Instead of praising the rich, follow Jesus’ words, “Blessed are the poor.” Instead of avoiding sadness, remember that those who mourn will be comforted. Don’t feed the egos of the proud, because the meek will be comforted. Instead of making success and winning the goal, remember, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness.” Be peacemakers, merciful, and pure in heart (Matthew 5:3-9).
The passage goes on, and trying to live out the Sermon on the Mount presents a roadmap for living in a world with false teachers. Will we change them? Not necessarily. Changing hearts is the world of the Holy Spirit. We cannot change others, but we can change ourselves. When confronted with false teachers, Jude points us to Jesus.
Over the next three Sundays, we will seek wisdom and guidance for living today from this short epistle. I look forward to seeing what God will say to us through Jude.
Comments