JESUS …The Same Yesterday, Today, and Forever

You might wonder who Jesus really is. I want to be very careful, but very clear. He is not who we think He is - Jesus is who He says He is.

John 14:6-7 KJV

6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

7 If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.

John 8:58 KJV

Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.

Sometimes I wonder if we’ve offered the world a buffet service of Jesus. I have been in prayer for some time about how accurately as ministers, as Christians, as the Body of Christ - has Jesus been presented. With the various Bible translations, opinions from the stage versus alter calls, and the plethora of ways to attend church - there appears to be some illusion, confusion, and delusion in the expression regarding introducing our Lord and Saviour to congregants and beyond. The message in many ways encourages us to get in line, grab a plate, pick and choose from the church buffet which things we like, what we prefer, or worse yet which fits our lifestyle most ...of Scripture ...of Jesus.

Please hear me out because this is something I have that has been a prayer of mine for many years. Friend, I only want to ensure we all know JESUS as He is and we do not miss Him.

No matter the format, God’s Word will not return void.

Isaiah 55:11 KJV

So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

This Scripture means when spoken or gone forth - it cannot fail - God cannot fail.

John 1:14 KJV

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

The Word - Scripture - preached, spoken, written, shared - will be accomplished according to what God wants no matter man’s agenda or intent.

My concern and longtime burden are the watering down of God - His Word - His holiness – His Church. It provides a complicated message that should be at best, the simplest to communicate. Herein, over the last many years, it appears we are giving options of Jesus rather than JESUS - The Word!

(John 1)

This is a temptation and a trap to use the Word of God to fit one’s narrative, worldview, or political stance. It is irresponsible; even more, it is grossly wrong. Furthermore, there is a danger in some of the adaptations of the Holy Word of God that people refer to in sermons and with study.

Deuteronomy 4:2 KJV

Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you.

Revelation 22:18-9 KJV

18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:

19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

I understand wanting to get a good deciphering of God’s Word. The King James Version gets a bad rap for the “thee’s” and “thou’s” - but did you know there is so much to the writings the way they are? Can I challenge each of us to study the King James Version Scriptures along with the depth of knowledge and foundation it brings - then complement it with a sturdy, credible translation that will offer definitive verbiage?

Friend, Jesus IS The Word!

John 1:1 KJV

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

We must know THE JESUS - not a compromised version of Him. He deserves for us to know ALL - not part, not half, not a portion of Him. Jesus is worthy of it all. He is worthy of our praise, worthy of our worship, worthy of our lives. He should not be partially shared or unjustly spared because of a concern we might not be able to grasp every detail of who He truly is. Dear Reader - this is what having an authentic relationship with our amazing God is all about. Jesus - His Story! Yes, He was crucified. It was a horrific death. It was on a cross, with a crown of thorns on His head. All of this after a beating with a whip and 39 lashes that included pieces of metal and bone. These painful materials pierced into His flesh and ripped it with each whip He endured.

John 19:1 KJV

Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him.

The definition of scourge from Merriam-Webster is,1

: WHIP

especially : one used to inflict pain or punishment

: an instrument of punishment or criticism

: a cause of wide or great affliction

I challenge us, once again. Do we fully comprehend the details included in the whipping or flogging of Jesus alone? Friend, we as a society have no problem watching the latest scary movie or walking through the popular haunted house for the October holiday fun. Yet, we refuse to discuss collectively or delve for ourselves into the horror Jesus went through - JUST FOR YOU AND ME. Our very Creator died and rose again in three days for our sins. This …because He loves each one of us so much.

Oh, again, I convey my heart’s cry - let us know Jesus, His love, and all that He

is - who HE truly is, friend! Not only do we deserve to learn of Jesus and all of who He is - Jesus is worthy for us to know Him. He is GOD! He is precious, holy, and mighty.

Hebrews 13:8 KJV

Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

Jesus ...the same yesterday, today, and forever is worthy of our love and praise.

Dear Reader, if you do not know Jesus as your Savior and would like to - please visit my Invitation and Prayer page.

You can contact me at thumanburgin@gmail.com with comments or questions.

Should you have a prayer request and would like prayer, I invite you to my Prayer Requests page. Here you can complete and submit a prayer request form. This will stay between the Lord, you and me and I will pray with you.

I pray that we know JESUS as He is - not a diluted version of Him or who we choose to have Him be in our minds or for our own, personal benefit. Jesus is so much more than this. His glory and value command our reverence and honor of Him. He is here, ready to be your Savior. You need only pray and invite Him to be Lord of your life or welcome Him into a stronger relationship with you if you already know Him as your Savior and Lord.

Oh, let us pause and be grateful for Jesus. Friend, how He loves us so!

Encouragement: Spend time reading the Bible - get to know Jesus as He is - who He says He is. Enjoy worship music about how He is worthy of it all, He is worthy of our praise. I know you will find an amazing time of joy, peace, and love in His presence.

1SCOURGE Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster