Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James,
To those who are called, beloved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ:
2 May mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you.
Multi-tasking has been proven to be less productive. Trying to be cool about it, Pastors try to save time by including the announcements in the congregational prayer. “I pray that anyone interested in the Men’s Bible Study come to the Parsonage at 6:30 on Thursday night and bring a dessert.” In the case of Jude and his introduction to his letter, multi-tasking worked. He included the thesis of his letter and the gospel message in his introduction. He presented himself as a slave to Jesus Christ, his half-brother. He presents us as called by God, chosen vessels for his good purpose. We are beloved by God. We are kept, preserved. Some call this the perseverance of the saints but preservation explains it better. We have peace because of the mercy shown to us while we were yet sinners.
We would do well today to consistently remind ourselves of each of these Bible truths from these 2 verses of this short letter from Jude. It is all too easy to fall into despair, thinking that we may in the end be lost because of one too many sins or not enough good deeds for the Lord. The Bible promises otherwise. You have assurance that you are a chosen, loved, and protected possession of the King of Kings. No matter what happens today or tomorrow, nothing can change that glorious truth. Therefore, the introductory benediction from Jude to his audience is the Lord’s to you…
May mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you.
Pastor Brad Boyer
Cape Community Church