Jude

I am sure I have read Jude before.  I read the whole New Testament for a class in college.  I've tried to read through for personal growth - but I really don't remember Jude.  Maybe it's because, on first reading there is not much to it.  It is short.  It is not poetic. There is no readily accessible theological break throughs, no great polemic on following Jesus or the way. It just doesn't seem to have a lot to say.  I read it through three times trying to absorb something from the reading (yes it is THAT short). Eventually I got it - and now I can't get it out of my head. (By "it" I don't mean all the in depth theological meaning - I mean a message for me).

It is easy to skim over the central part of Jude where he talks of the Archangel fighting the devil for Moses' body (Weird - huh?) and the error of Balaam (?) and the rebellion of Korah (?) etc. etc. etc.  This is all too different - these are not stories I learned in Sunday school. These are not stories that seem to fit together.  And how do they relate to "waterless clouds carried along by the winds" or "autumn trees...twice dead, uprooted" ?   The language and the references are all strange to me.  I guess we really don't study Jude very often.

The commentary I read referred to Jude as "the strangest document in the New Testament".  They don't know who wrote it to whom or when, or even why.  We know he was the  brother of James - but which James?  If it was James the brother of Jesus it would have to have been written very early; but there are many James' - it could have been one from many years later.  The only thing that seems certain (to scholars) is that Jude and 2 Peter are somehow related because they share so many phrases - but that still doesn't say who copied/quoted whom and so doesn't really give a lot of answers....so we have to ask different questions.

Jude is upset.  He wanted to write a joyful letter of fellowship with the followers with whom he is corresponding,  enticing them to an even deeper faith by reminding them of the "salvation we share" (v3). Instead he found it necessary to issue a call to arms - a rallying cry against "intruders" who were perverting the message.  The letter is short and harsh and to the point.  Stay True!

I have figured out some points through my limited research. Even the archangel did not accuse devil but called on the power of God.(From a Jewish Apocryphal book called the Testament of Moses)  It is OK that we cannot do things on our own.  We will not always have the right words or actions - but we can call on God to use what we do have to conquer evil.

Cain was given the same instructions as Abel about what God expected as a sacrifice - yet chose to do what was more convenient - which led to God not accepting his sacrifice which lead to jealousy that led to murder.(Genesis 4)

Balaam got a clear message from God not to go with the foreign powers as they sought to conquer Israel.  When the princes offered him a lot of money, however, he dithered - and finally convinced himself that God did want him to go, after all. (Numbers 22)

Korah (Numbers 16) is a young rebel who accused Moses & Aaron, God's appointed leaders, of putting themselves ahead of everyone - "exalting themselves above the congregation of the Lord" (from gotquestions.org quoting Numbers 16:1-3).  Basically he was doing what he was accusing Moses and Aaron of doing - trying to grab the power and respect of the group by taking over as leader. This revolt against God's leaders is equated to a revolt against God.

So we have stories of a man who ignored God's command, a man who twisted God's command to hear what he wanted to hear, a man who didn't even listen for God's command but wanted to do it on his own. Jude is warning about the intruders who were coming into the church, claiming leadership like Korah and their own interpretation of what God wanted, like Balaam, even to the point of ignoring the gospel that had been passed down, like Cain. How many televangelists could fit into those categories?  How many cult leaders?  But in a more subtle way - how many pastors, priests and congregations? We have people pushing us to ever looser interpretations of ethical behavior - and we have others who are fighting to close ranks and make choices black or white.  When are we listening to God and when are we ignoring or perverting the message?

This is very troubling for me.  For I know there is a push to say anything goes as long as you aren't hurting anybody (a subjective judgement).  More and more we accept sexual relationships outside of marriage, "smart deals" which could be interpreted by some as stealing from another's profit (like ignoring copyright laws?).  We admire the wealthy and equate their good fortune with God's blessings - so fight, sometimes bitterly, to get ahead. Where is the line?  How do we hear God's voice?  I can understand, to some extent, why some congregations want to stick to prescribed clothing and strict right and wrong ethics - even if it means excluding some people. I can sort of understand why some young people are drawn to cults or radical conservative religions that dictate what to wear and what to do. They don't want to have to figure out this confusing life.  They don't want to risk getting it wrong. They don't want to risk being swayed by the intruders, by those who pull unsuspecting Christians from living a Godly life. Or is the strict fundamentalism the twisted message that is pulling Christians from God's loving inclusiveness? Are we being pulled by the promise of purity and justification to a radical fundamentalism as opposed to loving blind faith in God?  How do we know which is the truth and which is the perversion?

Jude warns us to stay true - he exhorts us to "build yourselves up on your most holy faith; pray in the Holy Spirit; keep yourselves in the love of God; look forward to the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life." This isn't easy but I think the message is to continue to work on learning for yourself - not just follow whatever charismatic leader happens along.  We need to test the messages we receive and do our best to follow the message Christ has given, through his words and his life. Following Christ isn't an easy list of "do" and "don't" - it is a wonderfully messy, meandering journey of making mistakes and being forgiven again and again.  That doesn't mean "anything goes".  We need to try to live upright, faithful lives, and work to be worthy of the love and grace God showers on us - but we also need to realize we can't do it on our own.  Even the Archangel Michael had his limits and had to call on God.

After 3 or 4 readings I really like Jude.  Now I find it short but powerful, inspiring even.  And definitely thought provoking. There is so much more there than first meets the eye - or at least than first met my eyes. I may need to read it for encouragement a few more times. Many find it harsh and judgmental - but now I read it more as a warning to me, not a condemnation of me.  It is a condemnation of those who would lead me astray and a warning for me to be careful not to follow. It is very appropriate for this day and age. I need to continue to nourish my relationship - so I am not like a waterless cloud - promising life giving moisture but actually having nothing to offer - so I am not like an autumn tree that is dried up, and becomes uprooted. I need to trust God to lead as various issues arise and I need wisdom and guidance to think and do the right things.

I pray that God will keep me from falling, and will make me stand without blemish in the presence of God's glory with rejoicing.(from v24-25) (and help me figure it out).