I don’t know if the above headline is absolutely true, but the following verse has got to be in contention for one of the least famous in the Scriptures…
Now I want to remind you, although you once fully knew it, that Jesus, who saved a people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe. Jude 1:5 (ESV)
You and I may not remember seeing this verse before, but the fault is with us, because there is a lot here to see. For instance…
- Now I want to remind you, although you once fully knew it….Isn’t that a fascinating way to put it? But I think we understand because after all, we are a forgetful people. There are things in life that we now know, but we will need to be reminded of later. And there are things that we used to know, but we don’t know them anymore. God knows our forgetfulness, so He gives us ways to help us remember what He deems important. The most obvious of these is the Bible itself. What a blessing that God has chosen to write down His words. It’s not something we think about much, but how else could we read and meditate on these glorious truths over and over again? And more than this, to aid remembrance, He gave the people of Israel festivals and feasts, and today, He has given us celebrations like the Lord’s Supper. Communion is given so that we can remember the cross. God knew that we might forget even the most wonderful event in the history of the world. So the Lord said, “This do in remembrance of Me.” (Luke 22:19)
- Jesus…saved a people out of the land of Egypt…We’re tempted to say, “Wait, what was Jesus doing there at the Exodus?” And then we remember, “Oh, that’s right – He is eternal.” And the cross was not His first saving act.
- Jesus…afterward destroyed those who did not believe…This wonderful, merciful Savior is also the Judge. And as He destroyed those who did not believe in that day, so there is coming a day when He will “judge the living and the dead.” (1 Peter 4:5).
Entrusted with the Gospel 