Reading
SAA Notes
Jude is a variant of Judas (see Mark 6:3). This is the letter of a man who scoffed at his brother Jesus in earlier days. Notice that Jude warns against scoffers! See some hope for scoffers if the Good Shepherd goes looking for them! Pray that He will!
SJA Notes
* Lord God, You are our God and Your word is true. Please show us what is true today.
“These are hidden reefs at your love feasts, as they feast with you without fear, shepherds feeding themselves; waterless clouds, swept along by winds; fruitless trees in late autumn, twice dead, uprooted; wild waves of the sea, casting up the foam of their own shame; wandering stars, for whom the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved forever.”
This is a hard word from Jude, but also an extremely vivid and poetic word.
For the “certain people” who have crept into the church, in amongst God’s people – wolves in sheep’s clothing – The end is the gloom of utter darkness.
And these words ring similar to those we have not long read in 2 Peter, speaking of the people who blaspheme, who followed the way of Balaam (as Jude notes),
“These are waterless springs and mists driven by a storm. For them the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved.”
Indeed, Peter and Jude plumb similar depths with respect to examining these particular people.
The gloom of utter darkness is not a place that we humanity should want to go.
Let us be exhorted to build ourselves up in the faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keeping ourselves in the love of God, waiting for His mercy, showing that mercy to others.
* Father God,
Please save those around us from the gloom of utter darkness!
Please Lord God, save our families, our friends, our communities. Bring them to Jesus with a longing to be saved from their sin.
Bring revival Lord God, for Your glory, so that many would know You!
Amen.