February 16th - Hebrews 13:8

Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Yesterday we were encouraged to reflect on our former Christian leaders and to remember the example that they set. Much as we thank God for them the fact is that their life and ministry came to an end. In our verse today, the writer to the Hebrews contrasts them with Jesus, whose ministry never comes to an end. This is undoubtedly the most famous verse in this great letter and it is followed by the writer warning about people being carried away by false teaching. Jesus is the one who we need to focus our attention on, knowing that he will never let us down. Every day gives us continual reminders of the temporary nature of our world. I travel about 35,000 miles by car every year, and I am incredibly grateful for my faithful vehicle. But I am continually reminded of the fact that it is just a temporary blessing! There is a continual process of replacement of tyres, brakes, lights and fluids – to say nothing of the fuel. We live with the expectation that everything around us will soon need to be replaced. I love the story of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother who held on to the fridge that she bought in 1954 till the end of her life in 2002. Apparently it’s still working! That’s a refreshing story but only because it stands in such marked contrast to most of our purchases, which have such a limited shelf life. In such a transient world we all need to know what can be trusted. It is simply Jesus. We look back to the fact that he died on the cross and opened up the way into God’s presence for us. We praise him for his presence with us today in the power of his Spirit, knowing that he sits at the Father’s right hand interceding for us. And we look forward with confidence to the day when he will return to this world, knowing that we will spend all eternity with him. Praise God! Question In what way are you encouraged to know that Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever? Prayer Lord God, I praise you that you never change and that in Jesus we can place our complete trust. Amen