Hey, Jude: Verses 1 and 2

Jude, verses 1 and 2, from the NET Bible

From Jude, a slave of Jesus Christ and brother of James, to those who are called, wrapped in the love of God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ. May mercy, peace, and love be lavished on you!

Okay, so roughly following the “three questions” method, we ask

1. What happened in the text?
2. What do I learn about God?
3. What should I do about it?

I wouldn’t expect two introductory verses to yield the meatiest content. But I’ll take a look anyway:

1. Jude wrote a letter to Christians.
2. Jesus has slaves (see the NET Bible translator’s note about what that word means, and what a common concept that is elsewhere in Scripture). God calls, wraps people in love, and keeps them by/for Jesus (again, see the translator’s note). God has mercy, peace, and love to give.
3. I’m not sure how to “be a better” slave to Christ today, so I’ll look at what Jude did. He wrote a letter. I wouldn’t mind getting a letter that starts this way, so I think I will write an encouraging letter to a Christian who’s not near me.

Updated – to fix the NET Bible URL. Thx Nathan!