“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, and forever.” Hebrews 13:8
Most Christians know this verse by heart, especially Christians who believe that signs and wonders are still for today. For decades, Christians have used this verse to argue that the Jesus we see revealed in the Gospels hasn’t changed, and therefore, we should expect Him to do the same kind of stuff we see done by Him when incarnationally, the word was made flesh. That is certainly a valid use of Hebrews 13:8, but I think it means so much more than just that.
So many Christians struggle to live a consistently victorious Christlike life. The good news is that Jesus knows how to consistently be like Himself. The reason that is such good news is because Jesus who is the same yesterday and today, and forever lives His life in us. In union with Christ, we have been joined to His nature, and His nature doesn’t change from day to day. Jesus is always the same, and therefore, He doesn’t do attitudes or be in a bad mood occasionally. Regardless of the circumstances, Jesus, who lives in us to live through us, is always the same. Have you ever been in a bad mood? You need to remember that the old you died on the cross, deny that false self, and surrender to Jesus, who is your new nature, because he is never in a bad mood. He doesn’t get frustrated with people, ever, no matter their behavior because His behavior is always the same, yesterday and today, and forever.
Jesus never does a grumpy or grouchy day. Jesus is never testy with people. He is never impatient with others or in life situations. We could go on and on, but I think you get the point. Jesus Christ is the consistent Christian life. If you are trying to live for Him, you’ll never do it consistently, but if you are living from Him, you get to experience His consistency. The good news is that you and I can walk in freedom consistently from the reign of sin. The bad news is, you and I will never have another excuse 🙂