Obvious As Jacarandas in Bloom

Today I had a chat with friends who planned to go and see an area famous for its jacarandas in bloom.  As I thought it over, it dawned on me I could not remember seeing any jacarandas recently, which are known for their bright purple flowers--messy but beautiful!  On my way home from church I decided to be on the lookout for jacarandas, and I was shocked by how many I had driven by and not noticed.  After hearing about jacarandas in bloom, it seemed wherever I looked they were easy to find.  They were so prevalent it was incredible I had failed to notice seeing them bloom this spring.

My attention being drawn to jacarandas reminds me of what God does when we are born again by faith in Jesus and read His word.  The Holy Spirit opens our eyes to see Jesus throughout the whole Bible.  Jesus is not merely central to the Gospels but every book of the whole Bible, for His character, power and wisdom are clearly revealed.  As the Creator and Saviour of the world, all the scripture points to Jesus who is the Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last.  By His word the heavens, earth and all living things were created, and before God who sits on the throne the heavens and earth will flee.

Once your heart and mind is opened to Jesus in faith, He opens our eyes to behold Him throughout the Scripture.  Today I thought of Jesus the KING OF KINGS as I read Isaiah 32:1-2, for He is the only One who can truly do these words justice:  "Behold, a king will reign in righteousness, and princes will rule with justice. ² A man will be as a hiding place from the wind, and a cover from the tempest, as rivers of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land."  Paul wrote Christians are of Jesus who is unto us righteousness, the only begotten Son of God who will dash the heathen as earthen vessels with a rod of iron.  The resurrected Jesus Himself spoke of His divine authority and those to whom He grants it in Revelation 2:27-28.  Verse 2 is fulfilled perfectly by the almighty God who is our refuge, shelter from the storm, supplies a fountain of living water in a dry place, provides shade from the Rock of Salvation and gives rest for our souls.

From beginning to end, the verses of Isaiah captivated me with allusions to God's protection, provision, presence and wondrous promises.  As the presence of God guided, protected and provided for the children of Israel after their miraculous exodus from Egypt, so Jesus will do all for those who trust in Him, hearing and doing what He has said.  He likened all who do so to a wise man who built his house upon the rock in Matthew 7:25:  "...and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock."  In His wisdom God does not prevent the clouds from obscuring the light, keeps the rain from falling or floods from rising:  what He does is allow us to realise our need and prove His strength, sufficiency and faithfulness through the storm in this life, to show Himself worthy of our trust forever.  Some fault God for wind, tempests, droughts and weariness when He is able to supply our need for righteousness and all things that pertain to life so we might know, love and fear Him as our rightful King.

If people are drawn to see jacarandas in bloom, how much more ought we be drawn to open the Bible and behold the wonder and glory of Jesus Christ who created all things, the only begotten Son of God who is righteousness for us!