This week, I was studying the book of Jude with some friends. It is one of the shortest books of the Bible, tucked in just before Revelation. If people know anything about it, that is most likely to be the doxology (song of praise) that closes the book (vv. 24-25). Much of the rest is dense with references to the Old Testament and to other writings that would have been relatively widely known among 1st century people with an interest in Jewish religion, such as the Book of Enoch and the Testament of Moses. That makes it relatively hard going although the book still has ample contemporary relevance.

The author is Jude, one of the half-brothers of Jesus. What impresses me is that he doesn’t capitalise on this. He makes reference to James, another half-brother of Jesus and a significant leader in the early Christian church but fails to mention his link to Jesus, despite his letter being as Christocentric as any other in the New Testament. Possibly he was aware of how he, James and the others (Joseph and Simon – see, for example, Mark 6:3) treated and spoke of Jesus before his resurrection. However, I think it is more likely that he has learned true humility.

Unlike (another) James and John, the disciples who once tried to get Jesus to promise them a place of particular honour, Jude seems content to be alongside us, as one of many brothers-by-adoption of the risen Lord. Jude’s brother James is the same – both of them refer to themselves as servants (Greek doulos – literally ‘slave’) of the Lord rather than trying to claim airs and graces on the basis of their parentage and upbringing.

May we be likewise, not trying to make ourselves seem important but pointing to Jesus, who is truly the crux of everything.