“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Heb 13: 8)
I recently heard a Christian brother share the view that, although this verse is often quoted, rarely is it spoken in relation to the previous verse. In other words, we hear this wonderful truth as a stand-alone verse, but what is its message in context?
The previous verse says this: “Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith” (Heb 13: 7).
In the midst of concluding remarks by the author of Hebrews, he calls his readers to remember their leaders – the ones, perhaps, who brought them to faith, or the ones who have in recent times nurtured their faith—the ones who have faithfully ministered God’s Word to them.
He exhorts them to think about their leaders’ way of life. What might that mean? Perhaps he is referring to their integrity, their character. Certainly, the readers are challenged to imitate their leaders’ faith.
But he doesn’t just draw attention to their leaders’ way of life, he wants them to see the outcomes of their leaders’ way of life. In other words, ‘Look Hebrews, don’t just make note of what Godly living looks like, see the outcomes, the fruit of Godly living. Be inspired by what a Godly life can achieve. Jesus Christ was the perfect example of a beautifully fruitful and glorious life. And he is the same today and will continue to be the same forever through the lives of those who love Him and serve Him.’
What was it that Jesus once said? “If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit” (John 15: 5b)
Positive outcomes in life are usually the result of positive inputs. Luck can play a part in some things, but, in general, a successful musical recital comes out of the many hours of focused practice. Consistent high performance on the field or track has been earned by the gruelling training away from the crowds. Positive outcomes flow from positive inputs.
If our spiritual outcomes are those to be noticed by others; helpful, and even inspiring to others, what are the required inputs? Today’s verses each give us a clue.
Jesus said, “Remain in me”. In other words, ‘keep your faith through your prayer life directed toward him. Don’t start drifting off into independence and self-achievement. He followed with “and I in you”, a few verses later in John 15, we hear the exhortation for His words to remain in us. God’s Word is to be in us, active, available, on speed dial, soaking/marinating in our minds and hearts, spoken out, lived out and talked about.
And as we remember the leaders that inspired us, we note their faith that came from the Word in them. The same faith can define us too because, “Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, today and forever”.
