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.)
Another comparison (really, a contrast) between Genesis and Revelation concerns the effects of mankind’s transgression. Genesis 3 records Adam’s willful decision to sin against God. The results were and are devastating: “Cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; in the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return” (verses 17b-19). God was good to Adam, for He did not decree immediate death for the rebel. Still, though, the key word is “cursed,” indicating a condition of alienation from God. Revelation 21:3a reveals an eternal difference: “There shall be no more curse.” The opposite of “curse” is blessing, as the lengthy chapter 28 of Deuteronomy spells out in considerable detail. Thus, the removal of the “curse” is actually the reversal of the “curse”; it not only is taken away but also is replaced by God’s best. The blessed thoroughness of our Savior God is once again highlighted – and it is a highlight indeed.