This changes everything …
Years ago whilst leading a church in London I was given a financial sign-writing gift to put ‘a bible text’ above the platform at the front of the church. The mind raced. I was planning on preaching from Hebrews and settled with a fantastic verse that became a focus to everything we did trying to avoid the safe, manageable and less demanding. “Come ye apart and rest awhile” didn’t seem to fit the bill. “Repent and believe” was a bit too challenging for first time visitors whilst they sat listening to a sermon on the love of Jesus.
I settled for Hebrews 13:8 which set the benchmark for everything we had given ourselves to, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
That isn’t 8” tall gold leaf sentiment. It’s a blunt reminder for people tempted to drift, living casually in the distractions of life. The verse sits in the middle of a warning not to get swept away by strange and blatantly false teachings, right after a call to remember outstanding faith-filled leaders who once preached the word of God and stood their ground with God-focused faith. They came and went. Seasons changed. Some fell. Others finished well. But Jesus is different, did not evolve, expire or edit himself. If a name was to be up there in lights or in gold leaf font – it’s His.
It’s one thing to muse over what Jesus did in Galilee and throughout Israel with the impact He had as the crowds thronged around Him, amazed, astonished and perplexed as with a single word demons left, blind eyes opened, deaf ears popped and dead people got up, awakened like a teenager from deep sleep. All of that is great but Jude brings a staggering challenge to us that hints at the fact if you think that Jesus is totally awesome, majestic and simply amazing, think again – you’ve seen nothing! “Now I want to remind you, although you once fully knew it, that Jesus, who saved a people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe.”
Jude, making that assertion doesn’t blink. Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit he writes that the one who crushed Pharaoh, split the sea and brought Israel out with a mighty hand was Jesus. The same Jesus who now calls you to follow. Not a softer, post-resurrection version. The same eternal Son who always was, always will be. Perhaps this is a prophetic gauntlet thrown down at the feet of the Church today? He’s still as awesome as ever before.
So what are we being told? I’ll explain.
We don’t get to swap out Jesus for a new model or way of ‘doing Jesus’. People speak of us needing another Pentecost, which isn’t true – there is nothing wrong with the one God gave. The problem is with us. The same here with Jesus. We don’t need an upgraded Christ, complete with extra RAM and a faster processor or a more socially-refined, culturally-acceptable, gentler Messiah to suit the politically correct day we find ourselves in. He already is all we need.
Take a look at Jesus who walked dusty roads with vast crowds gathered around Him, who overturned temple tables, healed lepers, opened blind eyes, raised the dead and silenced storms – He’s exactly is the same as the One we stand before today. He doesn’t change, He’s never changed. There is no conundrum. No difference. Play spot the difference with Jesus and you’ll be there for a very, very long time. The One who poured out the Spirit in the early church is the one patiently, skilfully and intentionally building his church today. The same Christ who saves by grace also judges unbelief. That hasn’t changed. #awkward
Let’s make it personal.
His power hasn’t faded.
If Jesus saved a people from Egypt, your chaos isn’t too much for him. Your addiction, your bitterness, your spiritual apathy – none of it intimidates him. He is not exhausted by your sin, repentance, sin, repentance… He doesn’t need time to recover before helping you again. Sigh! If he could carry a nation through the sea, he can carry you through your difficulties, your failure, your relapse, your unbelief.
His holiness hasn’t softened. That’s a challenge.
Jude says, plainly, that Jesus later destroyed those who did not believe. He saved them, then judged them. The same Jesus. He is not indifferent to your compromise. He is not winking at your pride. Grace doesn’t mean you’re untouchable. It means you were bought. The blood shed came at a price.
His commitment hasn’t flickered.
When Hebrews says Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever, it means he’s not ever going anywhere. He doesn’t change his mind about those he saves, or deviate in any way from who He is. He doesn’t give up when you’re slow. He doesn’t lose interest when you’re spiritually dull, numb to the leading and guidance of the Spirit. The same compassion that drew near to lepers draws near to you, calling you. The same patience that trained Peter trains you. The same authority that raised the dead speaks peace to your chaos.
So what does that mean for now?
It means you rest your faith on the real Christ. Not a diluted Jesus. Not the Jesus of your last Christian conference emotional high. Not the Jesus reduced to a subordinate, controlling, out of context doctrine or boxed into a personality type. Instead, focus on the living, reigning Christ who saved Israel, bore your sin, rose in power, and will return in glory.
You don’t need a fresh reinvention of Jesus. You need to return to the One who’s been rock-steady since the beginning.
If he is the same Jesus who led Israel out, then you do not face today on your own. You are not left to figure it out with a second-rate Saviour or a tired, retired Redeemer. The same Jesus who tore open the Red Sea is walking with you into Monday morning.
So stop thinking you’re alone or behaving like you need to fix yourself before he’ll come close. Never craft a Christianity that edits out the cross, the blood, the Spirit, the fire, the fear, the joy.
He hasn’t changed. Take a long look at Him and marvel.
Yesterday.
Today
For the Ages to come.
That calls for renewed confidence, faith and obedience. All things are possible.
The adventure of a lifetime continues.