“Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and a brother of James…” (Jude 1 NIV)
I love this self-description of Jude. A servant to Christ. A brother to others. (James, specifically.) This description lays out firm parameters for God’s people: servant and sibling.
Serve Christ. That includes laying aside our will to pursue His. We let Christ be first and most in our heart. We respond with immediate obedience to His instructions (with or without understanding). Bonus: we find our fulfillment amidst His.
Be a sibling to others. This means we treat others, every other we meet, as though they are potentially in the family. Pursue peace. Extend generosity. Forgive readily. Share the truth in love. Give others time and room to grow. Be delighted when they do.
We get lost in our lesser titles, don’t we? Employee. Boss. Parent. PTA mom. Board member. Entrepreneur. Homeowner. Student. Political Party. Hobbyist. Jude’s introduction reminds us that our lives are to be framed out primarily by two titles: servant and sibling. The tasks related to these titles need to have priority in our schedules, our finances, our to-do lists and our to-be lists. These two titles will go on for eternity, while every other title is seasonal at best.
“And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome, but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.”
(2 Timothy 2:24 NIV)
“Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters.” (Hebrews 13:1 NIV)
It occurs to me as I type the entry of this blogpost; Servant and Sibling, that this is a fitting description of our Savior.
“For the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as ransom for many.”
(Mark 10:45 NIV)
“Both the One who makes people holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters.” (Hebrews 2:11 NIV)
It’s so mind-boggling to me that Jesus would make Himself a servant and sibling. How can respond in any lesser fashion?
Lord, please help us to live as servant and sibling. Humble us; You are the Master. Keep our brothers and sisters ever before us. Let us live in deference to Your instruction and their need. May we build bridges toward You, not throw up roadblocks. Remake us into Your image. Amen.