Jesus is the Same Yesterday, Today, and Forever

When I was young and our family would play games together, my brothers (who hated to lose!) would always try to change the rules in the middle of the game so that the outcome would be in their favor. It was exasperating, to say the least, and I would find myself walking away from the game many times out of frustration.

 Hebrews 13:8 has always been and will always be a source of comfort and security for me. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” No matter what translation you read, this sentence is almost verbatim in every version. How can we not find strength and security in this?

·  God will never change up the rules on us!

·  Jesus will never stop being our Savior and mediator with God!

·  Our kingdom cannot be shaken!       

Nothing else in this life is guaranteed the way our eternal life is guaranteed when we are in Jesus!

 So, what should our response be to this? In verses 1-7 of this chapter, the writer gives us practicals for remaining in Jesus and living our lives in pleasing worship to God. The best thing about this list? It is nothing we haven’t seen before! The message has not changed from the Old Testament until now:

·  Love one other (v1)

·  Be hospitable (v2)

·  Remember the mistreated and those in prison and suffer with them (v3)

·  Be faithful in marriage (v4)

·  Be content (v5)

·  Imitate our leaders in the faith and submit to their authority (v7, 17)

·  Be strengthened by grace (v9)

·  Continually offer a sacrifice of praise to God through Jesus (v15)

·  Do good and share with others (v16)

God and Jesus are always the same, and the expectations of us as disciples are always the same.

 As much and as quickly as the world changes, we, as disciples of Jesus, can be confident and secure in the steadfastness of our calling. In faith, we simply do as we have always done, and in doing so, we can wait in peace for Jesus’ return, because he will never leave us or forsake us!