When Jesus was fourteen, his father, Joseph died suddenly in a construction accident. Jesus was the eldest child and the responsibility for raising his father’s family fell to him and of course Jesus was a very good parent to his five brothers and three sisters. He was probably the best father our world has ever known. But even the world’s best father can have his problem child.
Jude was Jesus’ problem child. He was Jesus’ forth younger brother and he was twelve years younger than Jesus. Jude was not just a problem, he was an outright troublemaker. By the time he was thirteen, Jude’s quick temper and strong patriotic sentiments had gotten him into trouble on several occasions in Nazareth.
It was Jesus’ custom to take each of his brothers to Jerusalem for Passover ceremonies following their graduation from the synagogue school in Nazareth. So in the spring after Jude’s graduation, when he was thirteen, Jesus and Jude set out on the two day walk to Jerusalem for Passover. Jesus chose their route carefully to avoid opportunities for Jude’s temper to cause problems and they arrived at Jerusalem without incident. As they crested the hills at the East of Jerusalem and Jude caught his first glimpse of the city, he was thrilled to the depths of his soul. There before him lay the city and the temple which were the symbols of the political and spiritual aspirations of all Jews everywhere. It was an extraordinary moment for this young patriot.
Jesus and Jude proceeded directly to the temple, but on the way they happened to meet Jesus’ very good friend, Lazarus of Bethany. As Jesus stood visiting with Lazarus and arranging their joint celebration of the Passover, Jude passed the time watching what was going on in the street.
A roman guard standing nearby made some course and explicit remarks regarding a Jewish girl who was passing by. Jude flushed with indignation and his anger and resentment of Rome exploded in a torrent of vicious words.
The Zealots were a very active political faction in Israel at this time and they were encouraging armed rebellion against Roman rule. So the Roman military in Jerusalem was especially sensitive to such anti-Roman outbursts and without hesitation, the soldier placed Jude under military arrest. To be arrested for defending the honor of Jewish womanhood was just too much, and before Jesus could do anything, Jude delivered a loud and emotional denunciation of pent up anti-Roman feelings. And so Jude, with Jesus by his side, was taken immediately to the military prison and locked up.
Jesus tried to get Jude released in time for the Passover celebration that evening but he failed in these attempts. So Jude remained in jail for two days and Jesus stayed at the jail with him.
On the morning of the third day, Jesus appeared before the military magistrate on Jude’s behalf. He made apologies for his brother’s youth and explained judiciously and tactfully what had provoked Jude’s initial outburst. When Jesus finished, his charm and sincerity had worked their magic. The magistrate allowed that the youngster might have had some possible excuse for his violent outburst and he released him.
But Jude did not learn his lesson from this experience. Even after this, there were many occasions when Jude made trouble for Jesus because of his belligerent and violent clashes with civil authorities arising from his thoughtless and unwise patriotic outbursts. Being a man of peace, Jesus was embarrassed by Jude’s fighting and threatening and by his incitements to patriotic violence.
James and Joseph, Jesus’ two eldest brothers, were in favor of casting Jude out of their home because of his effect on the family, but Jesus would not consent. When their tolerance was exhausted, he would advise them to be patient and counsel Jude wisely. He told them to be eloquent in their lives so that their younger brother might first know the better way and then be constrained to follow them in it. But Jude was never brought to his sober senses until after his marriage at age nineteen.
This story illustrates Jesus’ love for and his loyalty to even his problem children. He was patient with Jude, never rejecting. He always had faith in Jude that he would eventually choose to make mature decisions and to exercise appropriate self discipline. Jesus never gave up on Jude and would not allow his brothers to give up on him. Jesus was always ready to counsel and encourage Jude toward better behavior but he did not seek to compel Jude. He encouraged him but left him free to choose.
This illustration of Jesus’ way of dealing with his brother’s youthful rebellion and embarrassing behavior shows us a lot about how Jesus still deals with his spiritual children who neglect or reject his one commandment for them to love and serve their spiritual family.
Jesus’ unswerving response still is that regardless embarrassing, regardless of how vexing; his little brother or sister is still part of his family and he will preserve their status as a son or daughter of God even against the consequences of their own foolishness. It is the will of our Father in heaven and our good father-brother, Jesus, that not even one shall be lost.