January 10, 2021
Dear Westminster Family and Friends,
Next week we’ll begin a new sermon series called, “Jesus is Greater: The Book of Hebrews.” Since we are home today, due to inclement weather, I want to give you a kind of preview to our series that will serve as our morning devotional. I’ve chosen one of the most memorable verse from the book of Hebrews for our study.
In chapter 13, verse 8, the author of Hebrews writes, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” The main message of this verse is that Jesus is unchanged and unchangeable.
We all know that life is change. Everything seems to be in a state of change. Our bodies change, our culture changes, our opinions change, our children are growing, our parents are aging, our technology is changing, our leadership is changing, and the list goes on.
Some changes are welcome changes, like falling in love and finding a spouse, getting accepted into your school of choice, welcoming your first child (or grandchild!), and entering retirement. But change has a way of unsettling us, too, and the reason is because we yearn for somethings to remain steadfast. We need stability.
The great message of this verse is that our ultimate stability is in Jesus Christ. Everything and everyone around us may, and will, change, but Jesus will not. He is the “Constant Christ,” you might say. How so?
He is constant in his authority – nothing and no-one can overturn his rule. He is not elected by democratic process; he is seated at the right hand of the Father and is King Forever. He is constant in his compassion – nothing you can do can diminish the love of God for you. He didn’t love you yesterday but has second thoughts about you today. His love for you is the same “yesterday, today and forever.” He is constant in his credibility – there is no coming change that the wisdom of Jesus cannot help us navigate together. He is constant in his character – perfect and sinless. He is constant with his promise-keeping – he promises to never leave us nor forsake us; he prophesied his own death and resurrection and promises to come again (and he will).
Where can we find our stability in times of unwelcome or anxious change? We find it, the author of Hebrews asserts and Jesus exhibits, in the Constancy of Christ.
Here are some questions for reflection:
What changes (or thoughts about change) make you feel uncomfortable or anxious? Why?
In what ways do you need to let the Constancy of Christ encourage you, correct you, and stabilize you?
Closing Prayer:
Lord Jesus, so much of life is about changes and changing. While some it is invigorating, exciting and even welcome, much of it causes me anxiety. I am grateful that you are the ultimate, Constant Christ. That the more things change, the more you stay the same – and that is a great comfort to me. Please help me to cling to that truth when I feel overwhelmed or tempted to doubt or feel the impulse turn to my own efforts to ineffectually control the change around or within me. Please remind me always of who you are – the Steadfast Savior, my Lord and Friend, the Constant Christ.
Amen.