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.)
As we have studied this week, we are in a spiritual conflict against Satan and the demons (Revelation 9; Ephesians 6:10-14a). We have seen that we should not be surprised by this battle, that we need not be frightened by the opposition, and that we must not doubt the strength of our Savior. Furthermore, we are to realize the privilege of being part of this fight. First, we are defending the glory of God, which Satan ever seeks to diminish. Speaking of unbelievers, Paul in II Corinthians 4:4 says, “In whom the god of this world [Satan] hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, Who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” Verse 6 then speaks specifically of “the glory of God.” When we “stand” in the battle, we are opposing Satan’s efforts to blind others spiritually. Second, we are standing with God the Son, Jesus Christ, “the Captain of [our] salvation” (Hebrews 2:10). Third, we have the promise of eternal reward: “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day; and not to me only, but unto all them that love His appearing” (II Timothy 4:7-8). Fourth and finally (although there are many more reasons), “we are more than conquerors through Him [Who] loved us” (Romans 8:37). There is no doubt: we are standing on the winning side.