Jaw-dropping Jewels about Jesus
Rarely does Jesus, God the Son, do exactly what we expect of Him. It seems odd that He so frequently surprises us, given that He never changes. Hebrews 13:8 makes this absolute statement: “Jesus the same yesterday, and today, and forever.” Still, though He is blessedly consistent in His goodness, Jesus does unforeseen things. Even when He does what is expected, He does not always do it in the way that we anticipate. Let us join with Jesus on a jaw-dropping journey. (I will be using this opening paragraph for each of the brief messages in this series. The following material will change daily.)
The example of the Apostle Paul is one more reason to pray, for “the prayers of all saints” rise “before the throne” of God (Revelation 8:3-4). After Paul was blinded on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1-9), a man named Ananias was sent to heal him (9:10-12). This outcome was a direct result of Paul’s intense supplication: “Behold, he prayeth” (verse 11). When Paul and Silas were unjustly imprisoned in Philippi, they “prayed, and sang praises unto God” (Acts 16:25); this worship occurred “at midnight,” a time when concerns and cares can quickly crowd in. God intervened with “a great earthquake” (verse 26) and with their release (verse 39). When Paul departed from the Ephesian elders, “he kneeled down, and prayed with them all” (Acts 20:36). This vignette is especially moving, for God had revealed to the Apostle that he would not see these beloved believers again (verses 37-38). Thus, his last earthly interaction with them was heavenly mutual intercession. When we pray, then, our supplications are joining with Paul’s as part of “the prayers of all saints.” Let us thus persist in prayer.