But you must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; they said to you, "In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions." It is these who set up divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit. But you, beloved, build yourselves up on your most holy faith; pray in the Holy Spirit; keep yourselves in the love of God; wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. And convince some, who doubt; save some, by snatching them out of the fire; on some have mercy with fear, hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.
Now to him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you without blemish before the presence of his glory with rejoicing, to the only God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and for ever. Amen. Jude 17–25 (RSV)
I do not turn to St. Jude's tiny letter when doing theology. I have never preached a sermon base on a text from it. I have not given it much thought throughout my pastorate. I do not mean to say that St. Jude is unimportant. God has placed every word of Scripture within the Bible for a purpose. Without a doubt, I am quite ignorant of much of the Father's purpose; thus, it is not much of a surprise if Jude doesn't touch my heartstrings.
The advice I give to every confirmation class I ought to give myself, 'don't worry if you don't understand everything in the Bible.' Learn what you can, study the words, and give thanks for what the Spirit chooses to reveal to you. The Holy Spirit grants to each according to their gifts. Those whose faith is simple as a child's find comfort in God's Word, though they may not grasp the more profound truth. It is enough that it is God's Word.
Others are called to wrestle with the Word like Jacob at Peniel. God has given them a heart and mind that cannot rest as long as a phrase of Scriptures eludes their understanding. He also gives them the longing, the ache of heart to proclaim His Word, in season and out of season. Like Jeremiah, it is a fire in their bones, and they cannot keep silent. They understand what Luther means when they read these words:
"Lord God, You have appointed me as a Bishop and Pastor in Your Church, but you see how unsuited I am to meet so great and difficult a task. If I had lacked Your help, I would have ruined everything long ago. Therefore, I call upon You: I wish to devote my mouth and my heart to you; I shall teach the people. I myself will learn and ponder diligently upon You Word. Use me as Your instrument — but do not forsake me, for if ever I should be on my own, I would easily wreck it all." Luther's Sacristy Prayer
"Let nobody suppose that he has tasted the Holy Scriptures sufficiently unless he has ruled over the churches with the prophets for a hundred years. ("Found in Luther's Pocket after his death)
The Word becomes Flesh to redeem us and fill us with a longing that must be lived, confessed, and proclaimed, not merely at Christmas or Easter, but always.