Scripture Notes: Kept for Christ (Jude 1)

The Letter of Jude is short and often overlooked, but it offers a great deal of theological depth and beauty, even in its opening line. Jude begins by identifying himself as a doulos of Christ, a servant or, better, a slave. This one little word tells us that Jude has given himself completely to Jesus; he belongs to Him, not to himself. Jude also identifies himself as the brother of James. While scholars debate Jude’s and James’ identity, they are likely the kinsmen of Jesus, those who refused to believe Him at first (and even thought He was crazy) but over time realized the truth about Who Jesus is and immersed themselves in the life and leadership of the Church. 

Jude writes to those who are called. This should make us think about Who is doing the calling. Jesus calls us. He has chosen us first. We must respond to Him. Jude also identifies his audience as those who are beloved in God the Father. The word for beloved is the perfect passive participle of the verb agapaō, which refers to divine love and to our share in divine love. The perfect tense is the red flag tense in Greek. It stands out and demands our attention, for it refers to something that happened in the past but has critical ramifications for the present. So God has loved us, and His love affects us here and now in a major way. His divine love surrounds us; we are in Him, sharing in that love and in His very life. 

Jude adds one more designation. His audience is kept for Jesus Christ. The participle in this case is also in the perfect tense and comes from the verb tēreō, which can mean everything from guard and watch over to preserve and hold. Jesus guards us, protects, preserves us, holds us close to Him. We are kept for Him, preserved and protected for eternal life in, with, and through Him. We are safe in Him.

Just look at the depth of this first verse of the Letter of Jude. It only contains Greek seventeen words, but there is enough here for us to pray and reflect on for a long, long time.