The Paradox

Bible reading:  Luke 19:1-10 

There are many paradoxes in the Bible.

Paradoxes are statements that seem contradictory but reveal more profound truths.

The Cross is a paradox. It is a symbol of death, but it leads to life! Humility leading to exaltation and being made free when we become a servant are also paradoxes! Finding joy and peace even in the midst of suffering and hardship and God's power being revealed through our weakness are also paradoxes. The transcendence and immanence of God is also a paradox. 

Paul discovered that his weaknesses were not hindrances to God’s work but a platform for God’s power. The Lord told Paul that, “…  My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness” ( 2 Corinthians 12:9). Therefore,  Paul was able to gladly boast in his infirmities so that the power of Christ may be revealed through him.

The paradox that caught my attention today was the paradox of following Jesus! 

In Matthew 16:25, Jesus speaks of the cost of Christian discipleship. He said, "For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it." That is the cost of discipleship. That is why Jesus said we must count the cost before following Him.

The paradox is while Jesus calls us to follow Him, He also seeks us constantly! 

Jesus is also seeking us, seeking out the lost all the time, as in the parable of the lost sheep and the parable of the prodigal son. The Bible says in Luke 19:10, "For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost."

This summarizes the mission of Christ to its essence. His whole life, everything He has said and done, every miracle performed, every demon cast out, and every disease healed comes down to this. Jesus came to seek lost sinners. He came to save you and me from the gravest danger known to man, hell. Zacchaeus sought to see Jesus, and Jesus did not pass him by. Jesus invited Himself to Zacchaeus' house to spend time with him, the hated outcast. 

My friend, if we are holding His hands, we may let them slip and let go. But Jesus is seeking and coming after us, and so we have nothing to fear! The Bible assures us that Jesus is able to keep us from stumbling and present us faultless before the Lord (Jude 1:24; Colossians 1:22).

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for constantly coming after me to present me faultless before the Father when the time comes. Amen.