A Brief Meditation for the Month
February 2018
In the book of Hebrews, we read these wonderful words: “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and for ever.” (Heb. 13:8). These words, immediately remind us of our Saviour’s deity. One who is the same, in the past, the present, and in the future, experiencing no change whatever; of necessity, possesses the attribute of immutability. Such an attribute belongs to God alone. This unchanging Jesus Christ, is none other than God manifest in the flesh. (1Tim. 3:16). He is eternally fully God, while in our nature, he is truly man. He is God transcendent and at the same time, God immanent.
How encouraging it is for the child of God to know that the Saviour he or she is trusting in for the salvation of their soul is so reliable. His person does not change, his love does not change, his offices as prophet, priest and king do not change, his word and promises do not alter one iota. His omnipotence, his omniscience, his wisdom, his grace, all remain steadfast. While other relationships in this life constantly change for various reasons, the relationship of the Lord Jesus Christ to his dear people never falters and never alters. They themselves, experience many changes in their personal lives, physically, emotionally, materially, socially, and spiritually. For this reason, they are sometimes tempted to fear that their Saviour may change His attitude towards them, or his relationship with them. He however, remains faithful and true, saying to his troubled child, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” (Heb. 13:5)
The unchanging and unchangeable Saviour, who is the great Shepherd of His people, gives this blessed assurance to even the weakest member of the flock; and him or her who may feel they are “less than the least of all saints.” (Eph. 3:8) Sometimes like godly Job, the Lord’s child is required to pass through the furnace of affliction and trial, for their sanctification; maybe feeling they are in great, even frightening darkness; crying like him, “Oh that I knew where I might find him!” It is in the knowledge that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and today, and for ever, that the troubled, anxious soul, finds peace and rest. The sunshine and light may have been yesterday’s experience, while the present is all darkness, but even if he seems to be hidden from view, he has not changed. He is like the sun hidden behind the clouds. He is still there. Faith looks through the gloom and beyond the darkness, to “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and for ever.” He remains in control of every situation, knowing every need, while working all things perfectly together for the good of His child. (Rom. 8:28). Here is the stabilizing anchor for the storm-tossed soul.
G. G. Hutton.