6th January 2026

6th January 2026


Pray (ACts) 


Read (Jude) 


Message (Scott Woodburn)


The book of Jude is short and sandwiched between John’s letters and his Revelation. It is no wonder that Jude is often missed by Christians who rush to get into the colours, numbers, beasts and mysteries of the Apocalypse of John. The Reformer Martin Luther didn’t think much about the book of Jude saying that it contained nothing special and yet this small book of part of the Canon of Scripture and therefore worthy of study. We’ll be focusing on Jude over the next few weeks and while we will be dealing with a few verses at a time I’d encourage you to read the entirety of the letter each day - it is only 25 verses long.


Jude begins with the simple statement “Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James” (v1) Who was Jude? He was the brother of James, but which James? Scripture interprets Scripture and in Mark 6 we read about the brothers and sisters of Christ. The Lord’s sisters are not named in Mark 6 but we are told that His brothers are called James, Joses, Judas and Simon (Mark 6v3). Jude is another name for Judas and so when Jude tells us he is the brother of James we are led to believe that Jude is none other than the half-brother of Christ one of Joseph and Mary’s other children.


It’s surprising then that Jude doesn’t mention this fact at the beginning of his letter. Instead he describes himself as a servant of Jesus Christ. It would appear that despite being part of Christ’s earthly family Jude sees no reason to boast. He doesn’t write with arrogance declaring his close family link to Christ. Instead he humbly declares himself to be the servant of his older brother Jesus.


It wasn’t always this way for Jude. John tells us that there was a time that Christ’s brothers didn’t believe (John 7v5) and on one occasion Christ’s family sought to seize Him because they thought he had gone out of His mind (Mark 3v21). However what Jude once rejected he soon came to accept and after Christ’s Ascension we are told that Mary and her sons were with the Apostles and all were devoted to prayer (Acts 1v14).


That's a mighty change and yet it is pure Gospel. The Lord takes His enemies and makes them His friends and it is all by the preaching of the Gospel and the working of the Holy Spirit. Brothers and sisters, do not lose hope for your unsaved loved ones in 2026, even the family of Christ needed to have their eyes opened. Jude the uncertain sibling ended up as a convinced follower of his big brother Jesus. May we see such a glorious change in our lost loved ones this year.


Pray (acTS)


Sing


WSC


Q64 What is required in the fifth commandment? The fifth commandment requireth the preserving the honor, and performing the duties, belonging to every one in their several places and relations, as superiors, inferiors, or equals.
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