Let’s all turn to Hebrews 13. The book of Hebrews is interesting in that we do not know who wrote it. Not only do we not know who wrote it, we also don’t know who it was written to. However, by reading the text, we can tell that the letter was written to Jewish believers. In fact, these Jewish believers had gone through suffering and persecution for their faith in Christ. Things got so difficult that they began to consider going back to their former way of life in Judaism. This included things like following festivals, eating certain foods, offering animal sacrifices, etc.
The writer of Hebrews was writing to encourage them and reveal to them that Jesus was “better” than anything and everything that was required in Judaism. He was better than Moses, better than the priest lineage, better than any required sacrifice, any festival, and more. While all of those things were very important to any Jewish family, the writer wanted them to know that Jesus, whom these Jewish Christians were following, was greater than all of them. He wanted them to know that Jesus was the ultimate purpose for all of those things. Therefore turning back to those things would be pointless.
The writer also encouraged the believers that just as they were suffering, Jesus had suffered as well. Jesus was betrayed and mistreated. So He was able to sympathize with their struggle.
Eventually in chapter 13, the writer switches gears and begins to encourage his readers on how they are to live this life as believers. There is a way that we are called to live as believers. We can’t just say that we are Christians but then live how we want. Once we are born again, our life is not our own. He purchased our life on the cross and we belong to Him. The writer kind of goes all over the place here, but then right in the middle of his instructions, he makes a statement that connects back to what he was saying about Jesus being better. This is a scripture that you have probably heard before if you grew up in church at any time. Let’s go ahead and read it.
Hebrews 13:8
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
This statement seems to be a bit out of nowhere at first glance. The writer continues on after this verse with his original train of thought as if the statement was never made. At first glance, it seems random! But there is nothing random in God’s word. Every word, every letter, every stroke in the word of God have purpose and are placed with intention. So why did the author include this right in the middle of his instructions to his fellow Jewish believers? My thought is that this truth is vitally important to the everyday life and faith as a believer. The writer wanted his readers to know and understand that Jesus was the same yesterday, today, and forever.
God’s Immutability
So what is this passage of scripture saying? Here in this room today, we can all be separated into two groups of people: those who like change and those who do not. Personally, I prefer change. I don’t like the same thing over and over again. I don’t like doing the same thing over and over again. Maybe there are some of you who are watching who also prefer change. However, some of you do not. You prefer things to stay the same. There is comfort in knowing that you can predict what is coming next.
Regardless of which you prefer, it doesn’t change the fact that things are always changing. You are changing, your relationships change, the weather changes (especially in Southeast Texas), public opinion changes, culture changes, politics change, the economy, stock market, value, interest rates, we can keep going but ultimately the point is that everything in life changes. However, while there are many things in life that change, Jesus does not change. In theological terms, this is called “immutability.”
Immutable = Unchanging over time or unable to be changed
Scriptures on God’s immutability:
Malachi 3:6
"I, the Lord, do not change.”
James 1:17
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.”
Job 23:13
“But he is unchangeable, and who can turn him back? What he desires, that he does.”
Change happens over time. Value is increased or decreased over time. The impressions we make change over time. Our body changes over time...we hope for the better of course. But Jesus is eternal, therefore He exists outside of time. He existed before time and He will exist after time. Everything within time has a beginning and an end. God does not. He is not limited by the same time constraints we are limited by. He created time! He stands outside of it and is therefore unaffected. Jesus, who is God, does not, cannot, and will not change.
Jesus Doesn’t Change with the
Culture
This was an important point for the writer of Hebrews because he was reminding his Jewish readers that Jesus was God! He was not just a good man like any other, He was God. The Jewish non-believers of that day were trying to convince the Christians of that time that Jesus was something less than God. This is no different from today.
The culture of our day tries to decide what it means to follow Jesus and who Jesus is all together. They tell us to “speak your own truth.” They say that following Jesus is only “one” of the ways to Heaven. Some even say that Jesus sinned and repented!! That is straight up a lie from the devil!! When we hear these things we must realize that the devil is trying to confuse, deceive and mislead people into believing in a different Jesus. But the truth is that Jesus has not changed!! Who He is in the word of God is who He is today!! Don’t allow culture to change your perspective on Jesus! He is still on the throne, meaning He is in control! He is the only way! He is the only truth! He is life! He is your provider! He is your protector! He is your God!
Jesus Doesn’t Change with
Circumstances
The writer of Hebrews also encouraged the Jewish believers to not allow their current circumstances to change their position on Christ. Between the cultural shaming, the societal pressure, and threatening persuasion, the Christians of that day were challenged with the temptation of walking away from their faith and going back to their old way of life in Judaism. It would have just been easier. There would be less pressure and they could just fit in. But the writer wanted them to know that the same Jesus who was also persecuted and crucified for their sake, and the same Jesus who rose from the grave ascended in to Heaven, that same Jesus was still on the throne and would one day return. He was giving them hope that Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
There are times in life where we just feel like throwing in the towel. Things are difficult and we just get tired and exhausted. Situations in life become harder and harder to deal with. We get overwhelmed, stressed, afraid, anxious, depressed, angry, etc. Our attention and focus get set on the things that are right in front of us. Yet the writer of Hebrews reminds us that Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever. The same God who delivered Israel out of Egypt through Moses can also deliver you. The same God who defeated the enemies of David can defeat the spiritual enemies in your life as well. The same God who overcame the obstacles of sin, death, hell, and the grave will help you overcome your obstacles. We can look to Jesus!!
So how do we respond to this truth?
Hebrews 12:1-2
NASB
“Therefore, since we also have such a great cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let’s rid ourselves of every obstacle and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let’s run with endurance the race that is set before us…”
Let us remove every weight, that is anything slowing us down. Let us disregard anything that is standing in our way. Let us get rid of any sin in our life that continues to trip us up. Let us do these things so we can run the race and follow the call that God has marked out for us. You may think, that is easy to say, but how?
“…looking only at Jesus, the originator and perfecter of the faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
For the joy set before him… what does that mean? That joy was not about Jesus Himself sitting at the right hand of God. It wasn't just about Him becoming Lord over all. What was that “joy” that was set before Him? It was you. You were the joy that was set before Jesus. He endured the cross for you!! So that you could one day spend eternity with Him!!
We sing a song called ‘Same God’ that sings about how God never changes.
“I'm
calling on the God of Jacob
Whose
love endures through generations
I know that You will keep Your covenant
I'm
calling on the God of Moses
The
one who opened up the ocean
I need
You now to do the same thing for me
You heard Your children then
You hear Your children now
You are the same God
You are the same God
You answered prayers back then
And You will answer now
You are the same God
You are the same God
You were providing then
You are providing now
You are the same God
You are the same God
You moved in power then
God, move in power now
You are the same God
You are the same God
You were a healer then
You are a healer now
You are the same God
You are the same God
You were a savior then
You are a savior now
You are the same God
You are the same God”
I love this song! It speaks of the unchanging nature of God. No matter what comes our way we can trust that Jesus who is the same yesterday, today, and forever, will be there for us. We can count on Him! Therefore, let us look to Jesus!! We overcome by looking to Jesus!! He is our hope! We can look to Jesus.
Takeaways:
1.
Do
not allow culture to change your perspective on Jesus.
2.
Do
not allow your current situation to discourage your hope in Jesus.
3.
Look
to Jesus as the answer for the problems of yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
