Heb. 13:8 says, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever." What does this mean? It can't mean that Jesus Christ has never changed. As the Logos He was co-eternal, enjoying equality with Father and Spirit (Phil. 2:6; John 1:1). Was His incarnation a change? Was it! It was an emptying of cosmic dimensions (Phil. 2:7). But more change was ahead: "Although He was a son, He learned obedience from what He suffered and, once made perfect, He became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey Him...." (Heb. 5:8-9). "He learned... He suffered... He became..." all involved change. But that's not all. "He suffered death" (Heb. 2:9). Then, God raised Him and exalted Him (Acts 2:32-33; Phil. 2:9). Sounds like a lot of change. So what does it mean that Jesus Christ is timelessly the same? The context provides the answer. In verses 5 and 6 the author says we must keep free of the love of money because God is dependable, always trustworthy to help us when we're in need. Then he turns to the local church leaders, holding them up as models worthy of our trust. Finally, he focuses attention on Christ's dependability. Look at the past. Christ has been trustworthy in serving your highest interests, even to the point of giving up His riches for the poverty of His earthly life (2 Cor. 8:9), then giving up life itself. Over and over He proved He was your steadfast friend. Look at the present. At this very moment, Jesus Christ stands before God pleading in behalf of His brothers and sisters (Rom. 8:34). He is our Advocate in the court of heaven (1 John 2:1). Look at the future. His confession of us to the Father will be the deciding factor in whether we are saved or lost (Matt. 10:32-33). Nothing can separate us from His love (Rom. 8:38-39). This rock-solid dependability of Jesus Christ becomes the unchanging reality on which we can base our lives. It provides a dynamic power from which we can operate. It inspires our hope and energizes our courage. Don't you wish we were so dependable? |
