Maybe it sounds like a strange suggestion, but I think that when we talk about Jesus we should do it more frequently in the present tense.

Instead of always saying that “Jesus said” such-and-such, why not say that “Jesus says” such-and-such.

For example, Jesus says that we should love our enemies. Jesus says that we should rejoice when persecuted. Jesus says this, that and the other thing about sin, holiness and faith.

In Hebrews 1:3 we are told that Jesus is “sustaining all things by his powerful word…” Present tense. Yes he lived and died. But he was also raised to life and is currently at God’s right hand. He is interceding for us, working, doing, directing, and sustaining all things by his powerful word.

Maybe speaking about Jesus in the present tense seems gimmicky. And I realize that there are times when we are simply speaking about him as a historical person in Judea in the first century. I get that. But we need to continually remind ourselves that he is engaged in ongoing, present-day work.

There is liberating freedom in the knowledge that Jesus is still teaching us for our modern day lives. There is liberating freedom in the knowledge that you’re not ultimately in charge. There is liberating freedom in the knowledge that you don’t have to fix every problem.

The captain is at the wheel—right now—and that captain isn’t you.

Speak about Jesus more often in the present tense. Remind yourself that he is sustaining all things by his powerful word, even today.

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Notes:

–The Up Devotional is published 5 days a week (Monday-Friday) and returns on November 8, 2021.

–Bible quotes are from the NIV.