Danger Below the Surface

“These are hidden reefs at your love feasts, as they feast with you without fear, shepherds feeding themselves; waterless clouds, swept along by winds; fruitless trees in late autumn, twice dead, uprooted” (v12).

The waters of the Caribbean are littered with shipwrecks. Many of those wrecks aren’t 20,000 leagues under the sea. Nope, most of them are in shallow water. Coral reefs just beneath the waves ripped open the hulls of countless sailing ships, including several in the Spanish treasure fleet back in the 17th century. Had the captains only known the reefs were there. But danger lurked just below the surface. Believers in the first century faced a similar threat. Jude warns of false teachers who’ve weaseled their way into local churches who are just waiting for the right moment to sink the ship. Jesus’ kid brother calls them “hidden reefs” (v12). That’s because danger lurks just below the surface.

These con artists have wormed into congregations as Jesus’ followers celebrate the Lord’s Supper. “These are hidden reefs at your love feasts” (12). Like a ship captain that’s not familiar with the waters, apparently most believers don’t see the danger of what’s ahead. Think of the crew of the Titanic. One of their fatal mistakes was underestimating the size of the iceberg BELOW the waterline. Before anyone knew what had happened, a huge chunk of ice under the water tore open the hull of the so-called unsinkable liner. Are we like the folks on the Titanic? Do we have any clue of the threat that we can’t see? Have spiritual snake oil salesmen slipped in without anyone knowing it? 

Jude tells us that the false teachers have actually slipped in during that wonderful time of Communion. It’s easy to see how these hucksters could be “hidden reefs” at suck a delicate moment. Are they telling believers that their sin isn’t really so bad after all? Paul wants us not to take the bread and the cup flippantly. Don’t treat them like we’re swinging through the drive-thru at Bojangles. This is a sacred moment. We need to examine ourselves first. Got an issue with another believer? Settle it. Is there some unconfessed sin that you need to get off your chest? Give it to Jesus. These false teachers could well be telling folks to chill out and relax. Don’t worry about all that stupid stuff about sin. Remember, they’re known for twisting the grace of Jesus into sensuality (Jude 4). Be careful. Danger lurks just below the surface.

The false teachers “feast with you without fear” (v12) because they’re confident they won’t get caught. They’re cocky and confident that nobody will blow their cover. The common way to celebrate communion in the first century was to incorporate the bread and the cup into huge meal. It wasn’t simply a ritual or dry ceremony. But the con artists have crept in and found a spot at the table. I seem to remember somebody else who ate a feast with Jesus that turned out to be a turncoat and traitor. Hmm, now who could that be?

Jesus’ little brother says they are “shepherds feeding themselves” (v12). They’ve infiltrated the leadership of these churches gaining positions as pastors. They don’t give a flip about serving the Chief Shepherd. They couldn’t care less about serving His flock. They’re not about giving. They’re all about taking. Nothing new here. God dropped the hammer on the self-centered shepherds through the prophet Ezekiel. “Ah, the shepherds of Israel who have been feeding yourselves!” (Ezek 33:2). Like the false teachers Jude mentions, these religious leaders saw God’s people as resource to be exploited rather than a people to be shepherded (Ezek 33:1-10). God announces that He will personally come to the rescue of His flock (Ezek 33:11-24). Jesus makes it perfectly clear that this is the reason He’s come. “I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep” (Jn 10:11). Christ is the Hero who comes to our rescue when crooks abuse His people.

Jude goes on to describe the false teachers as “waterless clouds, swept along by winds; fruitless trees in late autumn, twice dead, uprooted” (v12). Like pitchmen in bad late night infomercials, these con artists never, ever deliver on what they promise. They may look like rain clouds, but never drop the precipitation that is forecast. They’re like apple trees that fail to produce fruit in the fall. There’s an old saying in Texas, “All hat and no cattle.” They talk a big game. A REALLY big game. But they never back it up. Jesus has little patience for fruitless fruit trees. He zapped a fig tree when it should have have been ripe for the picking (Mt 21:18-19). It’s not that He hates trees in particular. But He saw the fig tree as symbolic of the religious leaders of the day. They talked a good game but had nothing to show for it. If we want to be fruit producers, Jesus tells us to stay connect to Him (Jn 15:1-5). That’s the only way that the Holy Spirit produces real and lasting fruit in our lives (Gal 5:22-23).

While we need to keep an eye out for hidden danger, there’s another factor to consider in this verse. And he’s looking back at me every morning when I shave. Am I causing someone else to shipwreck their faith in Jesus? Are my words and actions ripping apart others’ walk with the Lord? Second, do I use people as a resource, especially when He’s placed me in a position of leadership in ministry? Do I lead and guide as one who truly cares about those He’s put in my care? Am I a true servant leader? Third, do I make promises that I don’t deliver? Am I simply a blowhard who never follows through with what I say I will do? Sheesh. These are tough questions. 

In the meantime, be on the lookout for hidden reefs. Be very careful. Danger lurks just below the surface. I just need to be sure that it’s not hiding in me.