JUDE 1 – 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.”
THEME OF THE DAY: IS IT I, LORD? Remember the sacred setting of Jesus washing the disciples’ feet in John 13? They were sharing the Last Supper and Jesus makes a statement of prophecy that cut to the very core of their being. Mark records the scene in his gospel – And when it was evening, he came with the twelve. And as they were reclining at table and eating, Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me, one who is eating with me.” They began to be sorrowful and to say to him one after another, “Is it I?” (Mark 14:17-19).
Taking the question each of the disciple’s asked of the Lord, “Is it I?”, let’s apply it to the scripture of the day and the title Jude proclaims of himself – a servant of Jesus Christ. This title or role is not just restricted to Jude. We could have gone to Paul – Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus (Romans 1:1a); to Peter – Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ (2 Peter 1:1); to James – A servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ (James 1:1); or even to the Lord Jesus Christ Himself – Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities (Isaiah 53:11). The Isaiah passage is the “Suffering Servant” chapter pointing to the Lord Jesus.
Now the application of the “Is it I?” question. Are we able to embrace the title and role of servant of the Lord Jesus? Don’t be quick to jump on that with a positive, “Yes, I am.” There is a distinct difference between being a servant of the Lord and doing service for the Lord. The latter is compartmentalized and may fit into our already determined schedules. This does not define a servant. A servant is bought, owned, possessed, given over, and completely at the disposal of the Master who has claimed them for His purposes exclusively – Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body (1 Corinthians 6:19-20); But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy (1 Peter 2:9-10).
Do we see the difference? Another thing about the servant is there is no questioning of the Master’s dealing with His servant. As we embrace this role with Jesus, there will be trials, tribulations, difficulties, and even periods of “I don’t get it” as we follow the Lord Jesus. And here is where we will know if we are servants or just giving service. Servants submit. They don’t complain, question, defend, or cry “My rights” in the service of King Jesus. So, is it I? Let’s get alone with the Lord and find out the answer.
PRAYER: “Father, help me remember who I am – a beloved servant of Your Son surrendered to Him.”
QUOTE: “A servant has no rights and is completely under the mastery of his or her master.”
In the affection of Christ Jesus,
Pastor Jim