NOVEMBER 29, 2023 – THE SAME

READ: Heb. 13:8-15: … Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. …

We should pay attention not only to faithful leaders but especially to Jesus Christ. He has remained unchanged, the same as ever. In His faithfulness, love, and care, He has shown and continues to show Himself the same. This strengthens our trust and hope in Him. Those who believe in Him will never be put to shame (Rom. 9:33; 10:11; 1 Pet. 2:6)!

His immutability is also connected to the irrevocability of His promises. Therefore, the readers should not be swayed by various teachings. These teachings oppose the grace that remains ours in Christ if we do not turn away.

The errors mentioned had to do with human philosophical rules regarding food (see Col. 2:8, 16-22), but this applies to any human invention that deviates from God’s Word (Acts 20:30; Eph. 4:14; Gal. 1:6,7): they can lead us away from Christ and His grace. Paul’s words to the Romans (Rom. 14:16,17) are also relevant: “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.”

The author continues with a spiritual analogy to emphasize the surpassing importance of our connection with Christ: “We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat.” This altar is the cross on Golgotha, outside the city walls, fulfilling the great Day of Atonement (Lev.16:27). There, Christ offered His atonement sacrifice to cleanse and sanctify His people (2:11; 10:10,14).

Therefore, let the readers not turn back to Jewish priests who have no part in Christ. Let them hold fast to Christ even if it means going outside the camp, enduring reproach and suffering. For by doing so, they share in the reproach of Christ. But this can be borne because, as Christians, we do not expect a lasting city on earth but seek the future one where Christ is.

Therefore, let us continually offer thanks and praise to God through Him, our only High Priest and Leader!

Do we remember Christ in our daily life?                   

Singing: Psalm 79:3,5