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.)
Revelation 6 reveals the authority of Jesus over world leaders, war, famine, and death, both physical and spiritual. Verses 9-11 are sobering: “And when He had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: and they cried with a loud voice, saying, ‘How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?’ And white robes were given unto every one of them, and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellow servants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.” This passage suggests a probing question: why hasn’t Jesus acted more directly and forcefully to protect His people? Does He lack power of authority? Of course not, for He is “the Almighty” (Revelation 1:8). Does He lack interest or compassion? Certainly not, for He is “holy and true.” Two answers are found in these verses. First, Jesus is exercising His authority through believers “that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held” and through believers who “should be killed as they were.” We are witnesses to a violent world – a world that gladly and even giddily kills us – of the everlasting, saving might of our Lord. Second, Jesus is employing His authority for believers in heaven: He gives “rest” as we then see the full justice of God unfold. This heavenly vignette, then, assures us that we are protected for all eternity.