Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and a brother of James, To those who have been called, who are loved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ:  Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance. Jude 1:1-2

I recently found my box of memories that I had been keeping since I was a kid. I found letters from friends, toys I was gifted, foreign currency from trips I had been on and a bunch of other things. The box was filled with seemingly random things that all had a connection to my past and to people I love and who love me. In this box I  found a pillow case that was gifted to me on the day of my baptism. This pillow case has written all over it different prayers and bible verses that my church family wanted to share with me. As I looked over this gift it made me think back to all the people I grew up with who were and still are invested in my walk with Christ. In the book of Jude the author, Jude, uses three words to identify the audience of this letter. The first two are pretty easy to understand but the third has some nuance to it. He addresses those who “have been called, who are loved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ”. What does it mean to be kept? This pillow case is a reminder of the community I grew up in that has kept me in their hearts and guarded my relationship with them. In every sense of the word Jesus is keeping you. But what does that mean for us today? Great question, let's find out.

As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 

In John 15 Jesus explains what it means to be kept and amazingly it's motivated by Love. The love of another person is not something you just one day get. In fact if you try really really hard you might not get anywhere. Love is pretty interesting in that it's something that must be freely given. You cannot coarse love or demand love. You may get similar outcomes but everyone knows that true love is truly free. So when Jesus tells His disciples to “remain in my love” there is something amazing about it. Jesus’ love is always there for you. No matter how far away you have gone, how long it's been since you spoke to Him, you can find His love. 

What about this kept situation. Fun fact for you, the word Jude uses to say “kept” is the same word Jesus uses here to say to “keep my commands”. How are these the same thing? One is an action, the other is an identity. Well Jesus' understanding of keeping his commands is intimately tied to love. Just one chapter earlier in John 14 Jesus says this “If you love me, keep my commands.” So what’s the motivation of obeying? According to Jesus it's love. So when Jesus understands “keeping” He sees this as love. 

Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?  And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders  and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep. Luke 15: 4-6

My favorite image of Christ is found in Luke 15. Jesus tells the story of the lost sheep. In this story we see the good shepherd leaving the 99 to go and find the lost 1. This is what it means to keep. The good shepherd will leave the safety of his pastures and risk injury or greater to preserve His loved one. 

There are times where it can feel as if we are all alone. That life is a constant battle of what I can do for myself. The image of God that the Bible shows us is one of connection and participation in our lives. The God who has called you does love you and is keeping you for Jesus second coming. We can rest assured knowing that while the world is lost looking direction our good shepherd is right there with us.