Hebrews 13:7 Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken to you the word of God: whose faith follow… Employing the word "yesterday" to represent past time in general, we ask, who beside Jesus Christ is the same to-day as yesterday? Yesterday our fathers and our mothers were young, and hale, and strong — to-day they lean towards the earth like half-felled trees, or they lie prostrate as trees wholly cut down. Yesterday the hair of the husband was black as a raven — to-day it is white as wool. Yesterday the children were like olive plants round about the table — to-day one is not, another withers in the place that still knows him, and others are transplanted to a foreign soil. Yesterday kindred and friends were a wide social circle — to-day but a poor segment of that circle is left. And these changes will continue — not absolutely, and for ever, but to-morrow, and for days in succession, until the last man, and the last day. And with the changes to which men are subject is associated mutation, which, like waves flowing over sand, affects the condition and appearance of all things. Yet here, where nothing is abiding but change — here where we "should imagine that we should get accustomed to change — we are always sighing for that which is the same to-day as yesterday, and which will be the same for ever. The Divine in Jesus Christ is ever the same, His power in heaven, in earth, and in hell — His knowledge — all that hath been, all that is, and all that will be — His wisdom for device and design, for ruling and over-ruling, for ordering all beings and things — His presence in all places — His spotless purity, and undeviating righteousness — His unbounded love — are all "the same yesterday, and to-day, and for ever." The humanity of Jesus Christ is in all its essential features the same. Eighteen centuries ago it was said of Him that "He manifested forth His glory." This glory — the fulness of grace and truth — is "the same yesterday, and to-day, and for ever." And is He the same in His devotedness to the work of redemption? Yesterday that work was His. He gave Himself to it in the beginning; undertook it when man fell; made ready for His advent during four thousand years; came in the fulness of time. He came to live as a man — He did live as a man. He came to suffer as a substitute. He came here, not to stay, but to return. Yesterday Jesus Christ did all this — and what of to-day? To-day I This is the favourable time — this is the day of Jesus Christ's salvation. And for ever will Jesus Christ be our Redeemer. "Of His kingdom there shall be no end." "He continueth ever." "He hath an unchangeable priesthood." "He ever liveth to make intercession for us." "He shall reign for ever and ever." He has made great promises to His disciples. He has said that they shall never hunger and shall never thirst, they shall never die, they shall do great works, they shall not abide in darkness, they shall have peace, they shall join Christ in His glory. Will He fulfil these words? Can He? In disposition to fulfil them, and in power, Jesus Christ " is the same yesterday, and to-day, and for ever." He is the revealer of what the apostle Paul calls present truth — and in His exhibition of that which it is essential for us to know, and essential for us to believe, He changeth not. Still, too, He assures His disciples, "I will come again." He said this yesterday. And to-day many of you are found among those who wait for His appearing, and who love His appearing — and as the vision seems to tarry, and as the time appears to be delayed, often do you hear Him say, "I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there ye may be also." Jesus Christ is the same in His influence upon those who believe in Him. Yesterday it was testified, "The love of Christ constraineth us "-it carries us out of the course of the world. To-day, moved by His love, multitudes are acting and suffering as those only can work and endure who live, not unto themselves, but unto Him who died for them and rose again. And what say you of His love? His eye is the same — bright as a flame of fire, and strong enough to view all things, whether great or small. His ear is the same — quick and sensitive; embracing the harmonies of creation, and receiving at the same time the whisper of a little one's prayer. His hand is the same — strong even to almightiness. And His heart is the same — sympathetic, patient, generous, tender as a woman's, strong in its personal attachment, and filled with a love which surpasseth knowledge. In all respects, and in all aspects, Jesus Christ is " the same yesterday, and to-day, and for ever." To-day, brethren, Jesus Christ is the same as when Peter and Johu rejoiced "that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name" — not counted worthy to wear some crown for His name, unless the crown be a crown of thorns, but " that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name." Then to-day let us boldly confess Him. To-day Jesus Christ is the same as when Paul said, "I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed to Him until that day." Then let us with all our heart confide in Him to-day. Let us renew our confidence. Let us give everything up to Him, ourselves and our all. To-day Jesus Christ is the same as when He said, "I am the vine; ye are the branches." Then let us abide in Him to-day. To-day Jesus Christ is the same as when it was said, "We are all one in Christ Jesus." Then let us to-day promote the manifestation of the true unity of all believers. (S. Martin.) Parallel Verses KJV: Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation. |
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