Introduction
We live in a world that’s constantly changing. Sometimes change is good; other times it isn’t. These days, a strong case could be made to suggest that our societies in the West are changing not for the better, but for the worse, slowly but surely. We see this in several new sinful, anti-biblical trends and norms being introduced, like homosexual marriage, gender-fluidity, abortion, euthanasia, and moral-relativity, to name just a few—though these are by no means limited to just the West. Wherever we live, sometimes it can be easy to feel discouraged because of the direction in which many of our societies which don’t put God first seem to be heading.
Jesus Christ—Eternally the Same
Yet even in this world of decay, depravity, and chaos, there is a comforting truth that surpasses all understanding: Jesus Christ, the one who created and continues to uphold the universe by the word of his power (Colossians 1:16; Hebrews 1:3), never changes. The Bible says:
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and for ever. (Hebrews 13:8, ESVUK) (See also Hebrews 1:10–12)
The words “yesterday”, “today”, and “forever” are specifically used here to indicate eternity. Jesus is the same right now as he was since eternity past, and will continue to remain that way forevermore. This important aspect of Jesus’ nature has several key implications.
Jesus’ Nature Will Never Change
Firstly, Jesus’ nature will always stay the same. Jesus is the divine Son of the Father (John 5:18–19), God in the flesh (John 1:1, 14), the Second Person of the Trinity (Matthew 28:19–20). There was never a point in the past when he wasn’t God’s divine Son, or the Second Person of the Trinity, neither will there ever be a point in the future when he won’t be these things. No matter what happens in the world, Jesus is always above all (John 3:31) and in control (Philippians 3:20–21). His core identity will never change.
Jesus’ Conduct and Teachings Will Never Change
Secondly, Jesus’ conduct and teachings will always stay the same. St Paul wrote: “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 11:1) The Bible says: “Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.” (Hebrews 13:7) Actually, it is directly after this verse in which it says that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever, which tells us that Jesus is the central object of our faith, who never changes, and that our leaders (Pastors) are dedicated to following his changeless teachings. How Jesus conducted himself and what he taught 2,000 years ago is still the same today, and this is why we can still imitate him and those who follow his example. Jesus sets the perfect, timeless standard for us.
Jesus Will Always Live
Thirdly, Jesus will always live. Although he died for the sins of the world (1 John 2:2), God raised him from the dead on the third day (1 Corinthians 15:3–4). The Bible says: “We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him.” (Romans 6:9) Jesus said: “Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live.” (John 14:19) Because Jesus will never again die, this means that when our time on earth is finished and the Lord calls us who believe in him into his presence, we, too, will never again die. We live because he lives.
Jesus’ Character and Promises Will Never Change
Fourthly, Jesus’ character and promises will always stay the same. Jesus is the epitome of goodness, because “he appeared to take away sins, and in him there is no sin.” (1 John 3:5) Jesus can never be evil, because it does not exist in any part of his being; he is “holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens.” (Hebrews 7:26) Jesus is the good shepherd who knows his sheep personally, calls them by name, leads them to pastures of life, and who loves them so much that he even laid down his life for them (John 10:2–4, 9–10; John 10:14–16). In addition, the Bible tells us that Jesus is faithful: “But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.” (2 Thessalonians 3:3) Because Jesus is faithful, he will fulfil all the promises that he made without fail. All this will never change about him.
Jesus’ Promise of Eternal Life
Jesus promised that on the last day he will return to the earth a second time in righteousness to judge the living and the dead (Matthew 25:31–32; Acts 17:30–31). On that day he will repay everyone according to what they have done for the rest of eternity (Revelation 22:12). By so doing, he will sort out all the problems of the world, make things right, and bring about justice. St Paul also wrote:
As surely as God is faithful, our word to you has not been Yes and No. For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, whom we proclaimed among you, Silvanus and Timothy and I, was not Yes and No, but in him it is always Yes. For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. (2 Corinthians 1:18–20)
In Jesus Christ, God’s promises are always carried out to the believer, for all of them, including eternal life (Titus 1:1–3), find their “Yes” in him. Jesus promised:
All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. (John 6:37–40)
Jesus promised that everyone who believes in him will have eternal life, and that he will never cast out those whom the Father has given him. As surely as the Lord is faithful, he will certainly do it. For the Scripture says: “He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.” (1 Thessalonians 5:24)
Conclusion
In this world of ever-changing chaos, may we always remind ourselves and be comforted of the fact that Jesus Christ, the faithful and loving Creator of the universe, who promises eternal life to all who believe in him, is the same yesterday, today, and forever. All that he is and all that he has promised will never change, and because of this we can know for sure that we have eternal life in his name (1 John 5:13) and declare with confidence “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?” (Hebrews 13:6) May all the praise and glory be to Jesus Christ, our changeless Lord and Saviour, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.