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 seen recently from Revelation 5, Jesus is worthy: “Thou art worthy” (verse 9), and “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain” (verse 12). Of course, His worthiness highlights mankind’s unworthiness. John writes, “And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, ‘Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?’ And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon” (verses 2-3). In the mid 1800’s into the early 1900’s, a movement called scientism arose, based upon the belief that breakthroughs in science and technology would usher in a period of peace. Even some sincere Christians (for example, the poet Tennyson) thought that such improvements would be instrumental in preparing the way for Jesus to reign on earth. Then came World War I and its ghastly gas warfare and World War II with its long-range missiles, massive aerial bombardments, and finally atomic bombs – and the movement collapsed. However, because we have not had a world war for 77 years, scientism is making a return, especially with the advent of information technology. This philosophy, though, must fail because it is rotten at its atheistic core. Some trust in political ideas or individual politicians, but Psalm 29:9 warns, “Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.” “No man” or movement is worthy; in fact, not even the redeemed and the angels in heaven are worthy in the sense of being able to redeem us. It is Jesus alone Who is worthy of our trust and devotion.