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.)
We return to Jesus’ instruction to His followers regarding the future: “But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost” (Mark 13:11). The immediate context is that of Jewish converts to Christianity being brought to synagogues for interrogation and punishment: “But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten” (verse 9a). We need to keep this context in mind, for some erroneously teach that Christians today do not need to study the Word of God but simply need to wait for God the Holy Spirit to supply insight. This benighted misinterpretation ignores the context. Furthermore, it overlooks the historical fact that the New Testament was not written down at all when Jesus uttered these words (and would not be completed until some six decades after Jesus’ words). Moreover, the entire Bible is given to us through the work of God the Holy Spirit: “For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost” (II Peter 1:21), and “All scripture is given by inspiration of God [God-breathed], and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works” (II Timothy 3:16-17). Thus, we need to study the completed Word of God: “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (II Timothy 2:15); we must also rely on God the Holy Spirit to help us correctly understand the Bible: “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation” (II Peter 1:20). Then, we will “be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you” (I Peter 3:15b).