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.)
Because of the constant attacks of Satan and the demons (Revelation 9), Christians need to be prepared for spiritual conflict. Ephesians 6:14 tells us to “Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness.” Verse 15 then adds to the protective armor of the Christian: “And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace.” The inclusion of “feet” is instructive. First, it is logical, for we cannot “stand” without them! Our God is a God of order (I Corinthians 14:40 – “Let all things be done decently and in order”); His work always proceeds in a consistent, logical manner. Second, the vivid physical imagery of this passage reminds us that our spiritual battle is every bit as real as the material world. Third, the use of lowly “feet” can be compared to the teaching of I Corinthians 12:12-31, which likens all Christians together to a body: “Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular” (verse 27). Verses 22 and 23 are especially helpful: “Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: and those members of the body, which we think to be less honorable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.” “Feet” may be “feeble”, and “uncomely,” but they are “necessary”. Clearly, then, God has a definite purpose for each one of us.