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.)
The marine magnates who have been briefly enriched by their affiliation with Babylon join in the lament at that city’s destruction: “And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by the sea, stood afar off, and cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, ‘What city is like unto this great city!’ And they cast dust on their heads and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, ‘Alas, alas, that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! For in one hour is she made desolate’” (Revelation 18:17b-19). The irony is overwhelming. If it is “that great city,” how could it become “desolate” so quickly? The previous verses (Revelation 17:16-18:17a) make it clear, of course, that Almighty God has judged Babylon. This destruction points us to a far greater city: “For he [Abraham] looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God…But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for He hath prepared for them a city” (Hebrews 11:10, 16). The eternally great city is heaven, and it is the sure destination of each one who trusts in Jesus, God the Son, for His everlasting salvation.