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.)
In response to Peter’s implied question (Mark 10:28), Jesus graciously provides instruction and assurance: “Verily I say unto you, ‘There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel’s, but he shall receive an hundredfold, now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life. But many that are first shall be last; and the last first” (verses 29-31). Some have erroneously interpreted Jesus’ words in crassly materialistic terms – right after He just warned against the ongoing and everlasting dangers of an emphasis on riches! The extent of man’s sin nature is seen in this obvious misinterpretation of our Lord’s teaching. The real riches promised by Jesus include the fellowship of believers “now in this time” (remember, too, that “houses” in the early Church were where Christians gathered to worship). As a matter of personal history, I met my wife in church; without our shared faith in Jesus, we likely never would have met. Of course, the future riches of “eternal life” will be even greater than anything that we currently enjoy; and will include a new mind and new body, without the old sin nature. Peter thought that He had given “all” (verse 28), but he had actually gained “all” – as have we.