◄ What Does Jude 1:2 Mean? ►

Before His crucifixion, none of Christ's brothers believed His Messianic claims, but in his brief letter to all those who are called by God, loved of the Father, and kept for Jesus Christ, this sibling of our Lord does not proudly boast of His earthly relationship to Christ, but rather humbly designates himself: "A slave of Jesus Christ and a brother of James."

In his desire to warn believers of the increasing numbers of false teachers and heresies that were bombarding the Church of his day, Jude wrote an epistle of encouragement and advice, but he begins with a beautiful greeting; a prayer that has travelled down the centuries to the Body of Christ, and an entreaty to God that mercy and peace and love be multiplied to all those who in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Jude knew that the Church of his day was facing difficult days, and would be comforted and encouraged, knowing that he was praying for multiplied mercy, peace, and love for them. He also knew that giving them practical examples of how to live in these times, would be beneficial to them, and those around them: "But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life. And have mercy on some, who are doubting; save others, snatching them out of the fire; and on some have mercy with fear, hating even the garment polluted by the flesh."

In his desire to contend earnestly for the faith, Jude's prayer and pleading to the Father was that multiplied blessings be bestowed on all those who are in Christ Jesus. He asked that an overflowing abundance of mercy, peace, and love be showered on all who trust in Jesus. He knew that wolves were prowling around seeking to scatter the little flock of God, and so he asked the Father for mercy to help in time of need and for an abundance of peace and love, in the midst of difficult times.

This prayer for multiplied blessings of mercy, peace, and love is equally needed today. Like Jude, we too should plead God's mercy on all His children, knowing that we also live in times when false teachers and doctrines of demons abound in the churches of our day. Let us unite to plead God's mercy and peace and love on all Who are in Christ Jesus.

Heavenly Father, I lift before You all those that are called by You and who have trusted in Jesus for salvation. Bless each one and may Your grace and mercy, peace and love, be abundantly poured out on them all. Keep all Your children under the shadow of Your wings in these difficult days in which we live, as we contend earnestly for the faith. In Jesus' name, AMEN.