“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” ( Hebrews 13:8 )

If there was ever a scripture to draw encouragement from, this would be it. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” ( Hebrews 13:8) . This is a foundational truth written in heaven, Jesus does not change. He will not recant His words. He will not revoke His offer of unconditional love and grace. As the world gets increasingly worse, Jesus is the anchor that keeps us safe until the end.

In fact, one of the main points in the book of Hebrews is that Jesus is the guarantor of God’s promise of redemption. Chapter 6 speaks volumes about this, “Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek” ( Hebrews 6:17-20 ).

God promised our redemption on oath and swore by Himself to make it absolutely certain (Hebrews 6:13-14). Jesus ratified this oath by His blood shed on the cross (Matthew 26:28, I Corinthians 11:25, Hebrews 6:16-20, 7:21-22, 13:20). Now we are reminded that Jesus never changes, He will be the same throughout the ages. This is an encouraging word for us whose entire faith and hope rest on Him.

Scripture tells us over and over that God will not change His mind, “I the Lord do not change” ( Malachi 3:6a ). James also spoke of this, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows” ( James 1:17 ). He does this to make His intentions very clear to us so we can rest in those promises. In fact, in Numbers 23, when Balaam was paid to curse Israel, God did not allow it, instead He pronounced a blessing on them through the oracle and this was part of it, “God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?” ( Numbers 23:19 ). What was meant to harm them, turned out as an encouraging word to them because God wanted them to know He will not change.

In the same way, we can let this truth penetrate deep into every thought process we own. Jesus is the same, He will not change. He will not recant His Word. He will always prove Himself faithful from beginning to end with every moment in between testifying to it. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” ( Hebrews 13:8 ), what an amazing truth!

“Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith” ( Hebrews 13:7 )

Growing up, there was a lady in our church who took the time to disciple me. She invited several of the youth age girls into her home on a weekly basis where she spent time with us in the Word and in prayer. It was a special time as her love for Jesus was unmistakable. The impact that this dear lady made on me has affected my entire life because I learned how, from an early age to spend time with the Lord.

Since then, the Lord has sent a few others to come beside and mentor me in the Word. Showing, teaching and explaining His truths until they’ve taken hold. These precious people have spoken truth into my life in a way that cannot be measured. As such, this pattern has propagated as I, in turn have also discipled young friends, teaching them from the Word and showing them who the Lord is as they start to grow in their faith.

The people who teach the Word of God to us are very dear so we should honor them and imitate their faith. We should consider their lives, how they live and do our best to emulate them. Paul also gave similar instruction about this, “Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you” ( Philippians 3:17 ). The Word of God is life-changing so it makes sense that those who spend a lot of time in it will think and act differently. We are to live according to that pattern.

Amazingly, the Lord will always send people to us to encourage and build us up in our faith as we grow in the grace and knowledge of God. We are never left to our own; He will surround us by a fellowship of believers. We can use their example of faith and obedience to pattern our lives after. The result will be unity just as Paul encouraged the Philippians, “Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel” ( Philippians 1: 27 ). Not only will we imitate the faith of those who went before us, our lives will be worthy of the gospel that saved and redeemed us!