#185

Surprisingly Dependable

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever, (Hebrews 13:8)” was my scripture for today. I think I have discovered that I was being simplistic in my understanding of this simple sounding teaching. To some degree it takes me back to the “What Would Jesus Do” days. I even remember seeing in a religious catalog a “What Would Jesus Do” Ouija Board – seems incongruous to me.

We read the testimony of the Gospels regarding the ministry of Jesus, and how He interacted with people, and we think we have it figured out. Because of these examples in scripture we think we have pinned down just how He would act if presented with the same or similar situation again.

One the one hand He rescues in violation of the law an adulteress from capital punishment, and on the other hand He brings ones' sins to the forefront pronouncing “woe” after “woe” on them.

Maybe we really don’t know what Jesus would really do. Did He ever do anything that surprised people? That’s almost a rhetorical question. Just maybe there are some things He knows that we don’t know. Maybe?  Maybe He is surprisingly dependable. Maybe that is what is “same” about Him. His varying displays of dependability just might surprise us.

Maybe there are some folks he expected more from, and rightly so. He reprimands His closest associates for their lack of faith even though they think they are about to drown, and He congratulates some unlikely folks for their demonstration of faith; those who would be considered very much on the fringe of the “acceptable” spiritual crowd.

We can always depend on Him to do His Father’s will – say what His Father wants Him to say, but would that involve always saying or doing the same thing when confronted with what we may think are similar situations? Again, maybe He knows something we don’t.

There are some things that we can depend on Jesus to do every time from now on. He will always do what is right for the situation and person at hand to help them to see the light and make mid-course corrections – “same yesterday.” That may look different from one person to another or one situation to another. What He does/says in His interactions with people will always be an expression of love for them– “same today.” That love may come in the form of discipline rather than blessings  He always considered Himself a servant of, and to, others even to the point of washing the feet of those who would betray/deny/forsake Him– “same forever.” Then He turns around and chastises the very ones He is serving - that is a form of serving.

So if you’re looking for the love that Jesus has for you which He has for all His faithful followers (same), look for the method that He is using to show you that love, and stand ready to be surprised. His dependability just might be displayed in surprising ways.