Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, today, and forever.

by John Davis

Yesterday, Sunday, August 30, 2009 I preached my final message as Pastor of Grace Fellowship Church in Sunnyside (Queens), NY. For months I had been preaching through the book of Hebrews, so it was fitting and timely that I was now at chapter 13. As I studied the chapter, my attentiion kept coming back to verse 8 – “Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, today, and forever.” This verse follows the call to imitate the faith of those who believed in Jesus Christ so faithfully that they not only lived for Him, they died for him.

This Christ whom their leaders showed such unwavering devotion to is the same Christ for them, and for you and me. He is the same yesterday and today and forever.

The writer actually concludes the book with the immutability of Christ just as he had begun the book in chapter one – “But you are the same, and your years will have no end.”

This immutable Christ is the theme of the book of Hebrews which essentially answers the questions: Who is this Jesus who is the same yesterday, today, and forever?”

Here is the answer from Hebrews:

He is the same son of God, image of the father, creator of heavens and earth.

He is the same one who takes on humanity that he may experience death for every man.

He is the same one who pioneers and blazes the trail of salvation for all who will follow Him.

He is the same one who sanctifies us and is not ashamed to call us brothers and sisters.

He is the same sympathetic Savior who triumphed over the Devil and who helps us in our temptation.

He is the same apostle and high priest of our confession who builds the house of salvation in which we live.

He is the same one who brings us to the throne of his father to find mercy and grace.

He is the same one who gives the Promised rest for weary sinners.

He is the same one who is of a priestly order that has no end.

He is the same priest, holy, harmless, undefiled, made higher than the heavens.

He is the same one who offers himself as a once for all sacrifice for sins.

He is the same one in whose blood is your forgiveness of sins.

He is the same one who brings you not to Mount Sinai and its holy wrath but to Mount Sion and that grand celestial celebration.

He is the same one who disciplines you because he loves you.

He is the same one whom saints of old have found to be faithful in life and death.

He is the same one who is coming and who will fulfill everyone promise to his children.

He was all of this yesterday – he is all of this today – he will be all of this tomorrow – He will not change – never, ever, will he change – he is the same.

Do you know this immutable Savior who will be there through all the vicissitudes of life and who will walk with you through the valley of the shadow of death?

John Davis

On September 10, 1970 I came to understand the great love of God for me, a sinner and a rebel. That evening I received God’s forgiveness and a new life through Jesus Christ, who died in my place and rose again to offer forgiveness and new life. I have been senior pastor for over 30 years planting two churches in Buckingham, PA and Queens, NY and serving two other churches in Brooklyn, NY and Roslyn, PA. I am currently the lead pastor at Grace Church of Philly.