Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance. Jude 1:2 NIV
Melody was our guide for finding the best food choices at the Strawberry Festival. The abundance of Fair food options can be a little overwhelming. Every row of exhibits and rides had options for corn dogs, funnel cakes, elephant ears, giant turkey legs, chicken on a stick, fried oreos, BBQ, donut hamburgers, cotton candy, ice cream, Strawberries covered with chocolate, and the one you can’t leave without strawberry shortcake with whipped cream on top. Melody lead us to strawberry pizza, Amish donuts (one of the best donuts in the world) and Dole Whip dessert. We were in the festival of food choice abundance, but not for healthy food choices (except for strawberries).
Jude starts the address of his letter to Christians by speaking a blessing to them. He wanted them to experience the multiplication of abundance of things that are eternal – Mercy, Peace and Love. These character qualities penetrate deep within our soul.
The greek word for “mercy” is “eleos” meaning a deep compassion. It’s corollary Hebrew word and thought is “chesed” meaning God’s “covenant lovingkindness”. God’s positional response to the children of Israel was to show kindness and favor at all times because of His covenant contract with Abraham. Jude is reminding the Christians that God’s first response in their lives is “mercy” because of HIs covenant made with Abraham and secured in Jesus. Aren’t you hungry for the never ending well of “mercy” to be continuously offered to you again and again? You can’t earn this type of “mercy”. It flows freely to those who are in much need.
Peace “eirene” is akin to the Hebrew word “shalom”. This beautiful word means so much more than a restful sigh or the absence of tension. “Shalom” is the term for favor in “all of life”. It includes your physical health, your emotional well-being, mental alertness, and the favorable outlook of things going well for you. “Shalom” is God silencing your enemies and His good hand of favor resting upon all that you have and all that you are.
“Agape’” is the greek word for love. You may have heard it defined as God’s unconditional love as found in Jesus dying for your sins. At its core, “agape” carries the idea of “preference”. It is the parent looking at the huge marching band, and pointing out his child in the trumpet section. Agape love was on full display when God told Satan, “have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one like him in the earth.” Satan responded, “it’s because you are protecting him.” Satan recognized the full impact of “divine preference” for Job. As children of God and followers of Jesus, we live constantly in the status of His abiding divine loving preference.
May your life experience the abundant multiplying influence of God’s covenant lovingkindness, the whole person favor of His “shalom” and the continual reminder that you are His lovingly preferred chosen child.
Blessings Love y’all