Jude 1 KJV
[1] “Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called:”
What is the connection between the book of James and the book of Jude? The answer is before us in our text. Jude, the author of this epistle, had a strong connection with James. He was his brother in the flesh and his brother in the family of God. These two brothers were connected spiritually and physically by birth.
Jude was also the half-brother of our Lord Jesus Christ. Jude and James both had a physical and spiritual connection with Jesus. These two brothers in the flesh did not believe in Jesus during His earthly ministry. James was converted after the resurrection (1 Cor. 15:7), as was Jude, possibly at the same time.
Jude reveals his titles in this verse as the servant of Christ and the brother of James. We can see the humility of Jude in these titles. He has no problem being a servant to his Master or preferring his brother above himself. He is not ashamed to be identified with his Savior and his brother. Humility is the key whenever it comes to being used by God. The book of Jude is often overlooked, but it contains a powerful message for the day in which we live.
This book parallels the book of 2 Peter and is the gateway into the book of Revelation. While Peter prophesied that the apostates would come, Jude warns us that they are already on the scene. Dear reader, we are living in the days of apostasy. However, do not be shaken because Jude reminds us in our verse that we are sanctified by the Father and preserved in Jesus Christ, our Savior. Thank God for Jude, the brother of James and the half-brother of Jesus!