Jude is one of the most remarkable, yet often misunderstood figures connected to the early church. Unlike the apostles who followed Jesus during His earthly ministry, Jude’s story is far more personal and far more sobering. He grew up in the same household as Jesus Christ. He shared the same mother. He witnessed the daily life, character, and conduct of the Son of God from childhood. Yet Scripture plainly teaches that Jude did not believe in Jesus during His ministry. Only after the resurrection did Jude come to true faith. Later, under the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, Jude wrote the powerful New Testament letter that bears his name. Jude’s life stands as a testimony to the reality that physical proximity to Jesus does not guarantee spiritual surrender, and that resurrection faith changes everything. Jude’s Identity in Scripture — Brother of Jesus The Bible clearly and plainly identifies Jude as one of Jesus’ earthly brothers. Matthew 13:55–56 (KJV) “Is not this the carpenter’s son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things?” Here Scripture establishes several key facts: This same list is repeated in another Gospel account: Mark 6:3 (KJV) “Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.” From these two passages alone, Scripture clearly teaches: Jude’s Early Life — Growing Up with Jesus The Bible does not give direct descriptions of Jude’s childhood, but Scripture allows us to understand the environment in which he grew. Jesus is described as: Luke 2:52 (KJV) “And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.” Jesus lived a sinless, obedient life under His earthly parents. Jude would have: Yet none of this, by itself, brought Jude to saving faith. Jude’s Unbelief During Jesus’ Earthly Ministry The Gospel of John explicitly states that the brothers of Jesus did not believe in Him during His ministry. John 7:3–5 (KJV) “His brethren therefore said unto him, Depart hence, and go into Judaea, that thy disciples also may see the works that thou doest.For there is no man that doeth any thing in secret, and he himself seeketh to be known openly. If thou do these things, shew thyself to the world.For neither did his brethren believe in him.” This is direct, plain Scripture: This tells us that miracles alone do not create faith. Faith comes by revelation from God. Jude Before the Cross During the crucifixion of Jesus, Jude is not mentioned at the cross. Instead, Jesus commits the care of His mother Mary to the apostle John. John 19:26–27 (KJV) “When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.” This strongly indicates that His brothers were not yet believers, because Jesus did not entrust Mary to them at that moment. At this point in Jude’s life: The Resurrection — The Turning Point in Jude’s Life Everything changes with the resurrection of Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:3–7 (KJV) “For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once…After that, he was seen of James…” The resurrected Christ appeared to James, Jude’s brother. After this, the entire family is found among believers. Acts 1:14 (KJV) “These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.” This includes Jude. Now Jude is: The resurrection convinced Jude that the One he grew up with was truly the Son of God, the risen Lord. Jude’s New Identity — Servant of Jesus Christ When Jude later writes his New Testament letter, he introduces himself with great humility: Jude 1:1 (KJV) “Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called:” This verse is foundational to understanding Jude: This shows Jude’s full surrender to Christ as Lord. Why Jude Wrote His Epistle Jude tells us exactly why he wrote his letter: Jude 1:3–4 (KJV) “Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.For there are certain men crept in unawares… ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.” The problem Jude addressed was: Jude writes not from speculation, but from spiritual urgency. Jude’s Warnings from Scripture Jude bases his warnings entirely on biblical history: Israel’s Unbelief Jude 1:5 (KJV) “The Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not.” Angels That Sinned Jude 1:6 (KJV) “And the angels which kept not their first estate… he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.” Sodom and Gomorrha Jude 1:7 (KJV) “Even as Sodom and Gomorrha… are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.” Cain, Balaam, and Korah Jude 1:11 (KJV) “Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.” Every warning Jude gives is rooted in Scripture, not opinion. Jude’s … Read more
