“THE UNCHANGING CHRIST” (Heb 13:8)
June 1st, 2003
Int. A. W. P. on (Vr. 8) gives the following by quoting (Vr. 13) “that which decayeth and waxeth old, ready to vanish away” (Heb. 8:13).
“It is in view of that our present verse is to be interpreted and enjoyed. The temple is destroyed, the ceremonial law is gone, the Levitical priesthood is no more; but Jesus Christ, the Head of the Church, the Mediator between God and His people, abides unchanged.”
I. CHRIST IS UNCHANGING IN HIS NATURE
A. OUR LORD IS ONE WITH THE FATHER.
1. (Col 2:9) “For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.”
2. (Jn 10:30) “I and my Father are one.”
3. (Jn 14:9) “....He that hath seen me hath seen the Father...”
4. (John 8:58) "Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am."
5. (Heb 1:10) “And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands:”
a. These words were addressed to our Lord as Creator of all things.
6. (Heb 7:3) "Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually."
7. (Heb 1:8) “But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.”
8. (Ps 90:4) “For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night.”
II. OUR LORD’S HUMAN NATURE UNDERWENT NUMEROUS CHANGES.
Note: Anti-trinitarians loved to quote this verse to support their anti-trinitarian position. Therefore we shall for a few moments consider that in “his humanity”, he did change some. but not in his Divinity.
B. OUR LORD’S HUMAN NATURE EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS CHANGES WHILE ON THIS EARTH.
1. It had a beginning; it was conceived in the womb of the Virgin;
2. It was in a state of infancy, and afterwards changed from that state to a state of manhood,
3. This was attended also on his mind; for we read that he not only increased in stature but also in wisdom. (Luke 2:52)
4. Our Lord’s human nature was subject to sorrowful changes, though not to sinful ones.
5. He suffered hunger and thirst, and cold.
6. He suffered torture and finally, death.
7. We read that his soul was poured out unto death.
8. Then we read about a glorious change at his resurrection and ascension.
III. OUR LORD IS UNCHANGEABLE IN HIS OFFICE.
A. BOTH MEN AND ANGELS ARE SUBJECT UNTO HIM.
1. Moses gives place to Christ, butt Christ never gives place to any other. (Jn 1:18)
a. (Ps 110:3) “Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth.
2. (John 3:30). John the Baptist said: “He must increase, but I must decrease.”
3. John the Apostle fell at his feet as a dead man.
a. (Rev 1:17) “And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead.”
B. THE LEVITICAL PRIESTHOOD GIVES WAY TO HIS ETERNAL PRIESTHOOD.
1. (Heb 7:23-24) “ And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death: But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.”
2. (Rev 1:11) He is: “Alpha and Omega, the first and the last:”
C. OUR LORD IS UNCHANGABLE IN HIS PERSON.
1. Solomon with prophetic words, describes Him. (Song 5:10-16) “My beloved is white and ruddy, the chiefest among ten thousand. His head is as the most fine gold, his locks are bushy, and black as a raven. His eyes are as the eyes of doves by the rivers of waters, washed with milk, and fitly set. His cheeks are as a bed of spices, as sweet flowers: his lips like lilies, dropping sweet smelling myrrh. His hands are as gold rings set with the beryl: his belly is as bright ivory overlaid with sapphires. His legs are as pillars of marble, set upon sockets of fine gold: his countenance is as Lebanon, excellent as the cedars. His mouth is most sweet: yea, he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem.”
2. The Apostle John describes Him also: (Rev 1:13-15) “And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.”
3. Dr. Joseph Parker said: “Plato’s definitions are practically forgotten, but the Nazarene’s words intermingle with universal civilization.”
4. “A great composer said he was spending a long time over his work because he intended it to live long, but this Galilean peasant talks extemporaneously, as if simply answering the question of the hour; yet his words float over all generations, and are prized by men today as if they had been addressed exclusively to themselves.” (Pulpit C.)
5. Physics changes: In the hallowed halls of the Institute for Advanced Study at Princeton, Dr. Walter Stewart, an economist, watched several graduate students coming out of a seminar. “How did it go?” he asked one. “Wonderful,” the student replied. “Everything we knew about physics last week isn’t true!”
IV. OUR LORD IS UNCHANGEABLE IN HIS MINISTRY.
A. HE NEVER HAS TO CHANGE HIS MIND ABOUT WHAT HE IS GOING TO DO.
1. His love is the same, for it is "everlasting" (Jere 31:3).
a. (Jer 31:3) "The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee."\
2. His keeping is the same, for it is constant. (1 Pet. 1:5).
a. (1 Pet 1:5) "Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time."
3. His power is the same, for it is enduring. (Heb 13:5).
4. His ministry is the same, for "He ever liveth." (Heb 7:25).
5. His pleasures are the same, for they are lasting." (Ps. 16:11).
a. (Psa 16:11) "Thou wilt show me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore."
6. His promises are the same, for they are sure. (2 Cor. 1:20).
a. (2 Cor 1:20) "For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us."
7. He Himself is the same, for He is immutable. (Mal 3:6).
a. (Mal 3:6) "For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed."
b. J. F. & B. says: He who is "the Author and the Finisher of their faith" (#Heb 12:2), remains still the same Jesus Christ "to-day,” And will be forever.
8. His absolute Holiness is unchanging...It is said of our Lord:
a. (2 Cor 5:21) "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him."
b. (1 Pet 2:22) "Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:”
c. (1 John 3:5) "And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin."
d. (Heb 4:15) "For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin."
e. (John 19:4) "Pilate therefore went forth again, and saith unto them, Behold, I bring him forth to you, that ye may know that I find no fault in him."
9. Our Lord’s Truth is unchanging..”The Word of God.”
a. (Mat 24:35) "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away."
Conclusion: The Author of the following is unknown:
JESUS MY LORD: Is the First and Last, the Beginning and the End!
He is the keeper of Creation and the Creator of all!
He is the Architect of the universe and
The Manager of all times.
He always was, He always is, and He always will be...
He’s Unmoved, Unchanged, Undefeated, and never Undone!
He was bruised and yet brought healing!
He was pierced and yet eased pain!
He was persecuted and yet brought freedom!
He was dead and yet brought life!
He is risen and brings power!
He reigns and brings Peace!
The world can't understand him,
The armies can't defeat Him,
The schools can't explain Him, and
The leaders can't ignore Him.
Herod couldn't kill Him,
The Pharisees couldn't confuse Him, and
The people couldn't hold Him!
Nero couldn't crush Him,
Hitler couldn't silence Him,
The New Age Movement can't replace Him.
He is light, love, longevity, and Lord.
He is goodness, Kindness, Gentleness, and God.
He is Holy, Righteous, mighty, powerful, and pure.
His ways are right,
His word is eternal,
His will is unchanging, and
His mind is on me.
He is my Redeemer,
He is my Savior,
He is my guide, and
He is my peace!
He is my Joy,
He is my comfort,
He is my Lord, and
He rules my life!
I serve Him because His bond is love,
His burden is light, and
His goal for me is abundant life.
I follow Him because He is the wisdom of the wise,
The power of the powerful,
The ancient of days, the ruler of rulers,
The leader of leaders, the overseer of the over comers, and
The sovereign Lord of all that was and is and is to come.
He will never leave me,
Never forsake me,
Never mislead me,
Never forget me,
Never overlook me.
When I fall, He lifts me up!
When I fail, He forgives!
When I am weak, He is strong!
When I am lost, He is the way!
When I am afraid, He is my courage!
When I stumble, He steadies me!
When I am hurt, He heals me!
When I am broken, He mends me!
When I am hungry, He feeds me!
When I face trials, He is with me!
When I face persecution, He shields me!
When I face problems, He comforts me!
When I face loss, He provides for me!
When I face Death, He carries me Home!
He is God, He is faithful.
I am His, and He is mine!
God is in control, I am on His side, and
That means all is well with my soul.
(edited, author unknown)