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.)
Mark 12:32-34 records the conclusion of the dialogue between a scribe and the Savior: “And the scribe said unto Him, ‘Well [well-spoken], Master, Thou hast said the truth: for there is one God: and there is none but He: and to love Him with all the heart, and with all understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.’ And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly [with understanding], He said unto him, ‘Thou art not far from the kingdom of God.’ And no man after that durst [dared] ask Him any question.” This religious leader was spiritually astute in his agreement with Jesus’ teaching, and he further quoted Scripture demonstrating that loving God is far more important than the entire Old Testament sacrificial system (see Isaiah 1:11-17; Malachi 6:6-8). This God-ordained way of worship became meaningless if not motivated by love. The New Testament teaching is, of course, the same: “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity [real, active love], I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing” (I Corinthians 13:1-3). Worship of God without love is not worship at all; it is merely an empty and self-delusional ritual. Let us learn to love our Lord more deeply and to demonstrate that love to others.