The adult Jesus

This time of year as we focus on the baby Jesus in the manger, Dale Vander Veen powerfully reminded me in one of his recent e-devotions of what Jesus did as an adult – why He came in the first place and what He is doing today and will still be doing in the new year. Dale did not write this himself but the original author is unknown.

Jesus is the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.
— He is the Keeper of creation and the Creator of all.
— He is the Architect of the universe and the Manager of all times.
He always was,
— he always is,
— — and he always will be
— unmoved,
— unchanged,
— undefeated,
— — and never undone.

He was bruised and brought healing.
— He was pierced and eased pain.
— — He was persecuted and brought freedom.
He was dead and brought life.
— He is risen and brings power.
— — He reigns and brings peace.

The world can’t understand him,
— armies can’t defeat him,
— schools can’t explain him,
— leaders can’t ignore him.
Herod couldn’t kill him,
— the Pharisees couldn’t confuse him,
— and the people couldn’t hold him.
Nero couldn’t crush him,
— Hitler couldn’t silence him,
— the latest pop psychology can’t replace him.

He is light, love, longevity, and Lord.
— He is goodness, kindness, gentleness, and God.
He is holy, righteous, just, and pure.
— His ways are right, his word is eternal,
— — his will is unchanging, and his mind is on me.
— He is my Redeemer, my Savior, my guide, and my peace.
— — He is my joy, my comfort, my Lord, and my ruler.

I serve him because his bond is love,
— his burden is light,
— — and his blessing is peace.
I follow him because
— he is the wisdom of the wise,
— the power of the powerful,
— the ancient of days,
— the ruler of rulers,
— the leader of leaders,
— the overseer of overcomers.
He is sovereign Lord of all that was
— and is
— — and is to come.

He will never leave me, never forsake me,
— never mislead me, never forget me, never overlook me.
When I fall, he lifts me up.
— When I fail, he forgives.
— — When I am weak, he is strong.
— When I am lost, he is the way.
— — When I am afraid, he is my courage.
— When I stumble, he steadies me.
— — When I am hurt, he heals me.
— When I am broken, he mends me.
— — When I am hungry, he feeds me.
— When I face trials, he is with me.
— — When I am beside myself, he is beside me.
— When I face loneliness, he accompanies me.
— — When I face loss, he provides for me.
— When I face death, he carries me home!

He is God, he is faithful.
— I am his, and he is mine!
He is in control,
— he is for me, not against me,
— — and all is well with my soul.
–