The Northern Star

by Rev Greg Obong-Oshotse 5 February 2021

Text: Matthew 5:18 “Until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law . . .”

In Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, Caesar is pressed by Rome’s noblemen to repeal the banishment of Publius Cimber. They go on their knees. He refuses still. Even worse, he rhapsodises: I could be well moved if I were as you. If I could pray to move, prayers would move me. But I am constant as the northern star, Of whose true-fixed and resting quality, There is no fellow in the firmament.

He is murdered for his hubris. He was not invincible after all. But no so the Word of God. "Until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished.” The Bible is a fixed thing. Unchanging, Unyielding. The majority may vote to change it to mean what they want it to mean. And they may well hold a party to celebrate the victory. But when they wake up the next day and open the Bible it will still say what it’s always said. John 3:16 will still say, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:36 will still say, “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.” John 14:6 will still say, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” 1 John 5:12 will still say, “Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.” All these and all others the Word will calmly but firmly and constantly proclaim in black and white. Indelibly. Unchangeably. Unambiguously. Unyielding to any amendments. Fixed as to how they are meant to be understood originally. We do well to stay within the guardrails of the word.

Prayer Dear Father may we be content to be led by Your word in Christ’s name, Amen.