This same Jesus

On Tuesday of this week, we studied the first chapter of Acts in the home where we stayed. I love that chapter for a number of reasons, one of which is that it contains one of my favorite verses in the whole Bible. As the disciples watched Jesus ascend into heaven, two men who stood by in white apparel spoke to them. "Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven." I think from that day forward, they would have prayed, "Let today be the day!" Because He was their best friend. And it would have been a wonderful comfort to them that He would be the same. Nothing about Him would be different. He would still have the same spirit, love the same things, uphold the same standard. Everything they loved about Him, everything they depended on Him to be would remain unchanged. The same Jesus that they knew would come again.

Earlier on Tuesday, we had a Bible study with an elderly couple who are no longer able to get out to meetings. We took the new hymnbooks that we are now using in our gospel meetings and studies. When we told them that the numbers of their favorite hymns had changed, Sra. Barbarita's face took on an expression that I would describe as panicky. "The things of God can't change!" We quickly assured her that nothing about God or His word or His way had changed. We just have new hymnbooks. Sra. Barbarita can't read; she never learned. But the word of God is in her heart, and it means everything to her that nothing about it would change. She's lived a long life. Many things have changed. But God has not. Jesus has not. And they will not. We can count on that, and it can be our comfort and stay.

This same Jesus is coming again. Let us keep that always in our hearts.