Relationships progress or regress. We are either becoming closer or we are drifting apart. When it comes to our relationship with Jesus, are you progressing or regressing?
Have you ever thought about how one of Jesus' younger brothers grew in his relationship with Jesus?
Jude, one of Jesus' younger brothers wrote a letter to Christians entitled, Jude. He starts the letter with this greeting...
"This letter is from Jude, a slave of Jesus Christ and a brother of James." Jude 1
Jude described himself as the brother of James. This James is also a younger brother of Jesus. So, what would it have been like to grow up with the oldest brother who was perfect? Could they ever live up to the standard that Jesus set? Did they have inner battles of jealousy and envy? Did they ever complain to their parents about the challenges to live up to this perfect older brother? How did Jesus respond and relate with them? I wonder how He eased their fears, anger and complaints.
How about when they were adults and Jesus began to do His ministry? They must have questioned, "Who does Jesus think He is teaching like He did, challenging the religious leaders like He did, doing these supposed miracles like He did?"
Mark recorded this, "When His family heard about this, they went to take charge of Him, for they said, 'He is out of his mind.'" Mark 3:21 Jude, along with the rest of his family, thought Jesus was crazy and did not believe what Jesus was saying and doing. John recorded, "Even His own brothers did not believe in Him." John 7:5 Jude rejected Jesus as the Messiah.
Then sometime after the death and resurrection of Jesus, Jude must have met up with his older, perfect and crazy brother in His resurrected body. Because, Jude described that he now related to Jesus as a servant of Jesus, a bond slave of Jesus. He could not mention that he was Jesus' younger brother. He could not mention that he doubted and questioned Jesus. He could only declare, "Jesus, You are God in human flesh. You are The Messiah. You are my King, whom I will serve. Just say the word King Jesus and I will do what you want me to do, for I am a slave of Jesus Christ."
The progression of a younger, possible jealous brother, to a denying, rejecting man to a servant of the most high King. What a progression! What a life transformation! What a testimony!
How have you progressed in your relationship with Jesus?
Who is Jesus to you?
A person in history?
A world renown teacher?
Someone distant, whom you do not think much about?
A possible family member?
A possible person you might become angry with?
A man who is still alive and sitting at the right hand of God?
Your Savior? Your Friend? Your Lord? Your Leader?
Jesus, help us to grow in our understanding of who You are. Help us to become more like Jude and be a "Just Say The Word" family member of Yours.
A listening ear to the King of Kings,
Pastor Chris
Have you ever thought about how one of Jesus' younger brothers grew in his relationship with Jesus?
Jude, one of Jesus' younger brothers wrote a letter to Christians entitled, Jude. He starts the letter with this greeting...
"This letter is from Jude, a slave of Jesus Christ and a brother of James." Jude 1
Jude described himself as the brother of James. This James is also a younger brother of Jesus. So, what would it have been like to grow up with the oldest brother who was perfect? Could they ever live up to the standard that Jesus set? Did they have inner battles of jealousy and envy? Did they ever complain to their parents about the challenges to live up to this perfect older brother? How did Jesus respond and relate with them? I wonder how He eased their fears, anger and complaints.
How about when they were adults and Jesus began to do His ministry? They must have questioned, "Who does Jesus think He is teaching like He did, challenging the religious leaders like He did, doing these supposed miracles like He did?"
Mark recorded this, "When His family heard about this, they went to take charge of Him, for they said, 'He is out of his mind.'" Mark 3:21 Jude, along with the rest of his family, thought Jesus was crazy and did not believe what Jesus was saying and doing. John recorded, "Even His own brothers did not believe in Him." John 7:5 Jude rejected Jesus as the Messiah.
Then sometime after the death and resurrection of Jesus, Jude must have met up with his older, perfect and crazy brother in His resurrected body. Because, Jude described that he now related to Jesus as a servant of Jesus, a bond slave of Jesus. He could not mention that he was Jesus' younger brother. He could not mention that he doubted and questioned Jesus. He could only declare, "Jesus, You are God in human flesh. You are The Messiah. You are my King, whom I will serve. Just say the word King Jesus and I will do what you want me to do, for I am a slave of Jesus Christ."
The progression of a younger, possible jealous brother, to a denying, rejecting man to a servant of the most high King. What a progression! What a life transformation! What a testimony!
How have you progressed in your relationship with Jesus?
Who is Jesus to you?
A person in history?
A world renown teacher?
Someone distant, whom you do not think much about?
A possible family member?
A possible person you might become angry with?
A man who is still alive and sitting at the right hand of God?
Your Savior? Your Friend? Your Lord? Your Leader?
Jesus, help us to grow in our understanding of who You are. Help us to become more like Jude and be a "Just Say The Word" family member of Yours.
A listening ear to the King of Kings,
Pastor Chris
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