The Unchanging Jesus Christ

Thought: What a statement! What a declaration! Notice it is not a question. Notice that it is not an incomplete or ambiguous sentence. It leaps off the page of Scripture as a glorious subject (“Jesus Christ”) and beautiful predicate (“is the same yesterday, today and forever”). Literally the text reads: “Jesus Christ yesterday and today the same and into the ages.” So, how is this magnificent mountain peak in Hebrews 13:8 connected in some way to the landscape around it in Hebrews, and especially the immediate context (13:7 and 13:9)?

The Unchanging Jesus Christ and a Lesson from the Past—Verse 7
As we read Hebrews 13:7 (along with the original recipients of this letter), we are encouraged to remember the lives, the ministry, the faith, and the faithfulness of former leaders who were exemplary.

They led and ministered the Word of God. Their conduct and faith were worthy not only of reflection but imitation. Some commentators see the phrase “the result of their conduct” as pointing to their death or martyrdom, which would be another indication of the faithfulness of these leaders at the cost of their own lives. Such leaders needed to be remembered meaningfully and their example followed.

But, what was their “secret,” you might say? What was the key to their faith and faithfulness? Was it not the same Jesus Christ? Could it be that the One these former leaders believed in, the One they spoke of as they spoke the word of God, the One who enabled their manner of life and ministry was none other than the same One who never changes? Our text (13:8) follows right after this directive to remember former leaders. The implication is that the readers (and we today) should confess the same Jesus Christ. The One they confessed, the One who was sufficient for them is the same today.

So, even though we remember “former leaders,” the One they confessed is not former. In remembering such leaders and imitating their faith, we recognize afresh that their Savior and Lord is our Lord and Savior as well. He is the Constant, the unchanging One, and we look to Him.

The Unchanging Jesus Christ and a Warning for the Present—Verse 9
As we come down the other side of the peak (13:8), we encounter immediately the writer’s warning and exhortation not to be influenced, or “carried about” with various and strange teachings or doctrines.

The specific teachings seem to have to do with or are associated with certain foods, which were often a part of religious practices and beliefs. Whatever beliefs were connected to these foods were not appropriate, and unnecessary for the good and growth of the believers. This was unprofitable teaching, indeed error. What they needed was grace, not “grub.” They did not need to be occupied with such teachings, but to recognize the sufficiency of the grace they had received.

Jesus Christ is to be the focus of our faith; indeed He is the “author and finisher of faith.” There is no need to be “taken in” by any doctrine that is not compatible with Jesus Christ Himself and the grace of God in Him. Again, Jesus Christ is the Constant, the unchanging One, the truth, the faith.

In contrast to being taken in by these strange doctrines, these readers were to remember those who spoke the word of God to them, who exercised exemplary faith, and lived faithfully to the end. Their confession was “Jesus Christ.” The changeless One is the heart of the doctrine we confess, and God’s grace is sufficient to establish our hearts. We need to heed Paul’s exhortation to Timothy, “…Be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus” (2 Tim. 2:1).

The Unchanging Christ and Encouragement for the Future
These words in 13:8 present one of the most important truths found in the Epistle to the Hebrews. Throughout the Epistle there is a contrast between the temporary and insufficient aspects of the old covenant religion verses the permanence, the sufficiency and the eternal “sameness” not only of Jesus Christ Himself, but of what He has accomplished.

1) Jesus Christ is the source of eternal salvation (See Heb. 5:8-10). Notice the phrase, “source (or author) of eternal salvation” (5:9). What Jesus accomplished as our forever High Priest (like Melchizedek) can never be superseded or ultimately undone. Hear the contrast and the powerful truths of Hebrews 7:23-25. The sameness, the unchanging nature of our Jesus means that He saves continually, completely, and eternally.

2) Jesus Christ has obtained eternal redemption (See Heb. 9:11-15). Did you notice “Having obtained eternal redemption” (9:12)? This redemption accomplished through Jesus’ once-for-all sacrifice with His own blood, offered through the eternal Spirit, does the deep work of cleansing and redemption that leads to an “eternal inheritance.”

3) Jesus Christ is the mediator of an eternal covenant. “Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen” (Heb. 13:20-21).

The eternal salvation and redemption are connected to an eternal covenant that connects eternally the Shepherd with His sheep. This is not a temporary plan, a covenant that can be improved upon, or changed. This is an eternal covenant accomplished through the blood of the changeless one. As a part of this covenant, God is seeking to mature us, to enable us to do His will, working in our lives for His own pleasure. There is a living relationship with a living Lord Jesus who is seeking to work in our lives every day.

Thrust: There is no Epistle that spells out more clearly the difficulties and challenges for the one who would be faithful to the Lord. The writer is concerned for those who may be tempted to turn aside, to turn back, to give up, to give in, or to drift away. What encouragement can you give when the challenges are real, when the mountains seem high, when the pain goes deep, the opposition rises up or when even the doubts come? “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.”

Be encouraged in the Lord Jesus Christ today. As has been said over and over again, “Jesus never fails.”

David L. Olford teaches expository preaching at Union University’s Stephen Olford Center in Memphis, Tennessee.