Key Verse: Hebrews 13:8 “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever ” (NIV).

Chapter 13 is sort of a postscript to the letter. The conclusion of the writer’s thought on the subject of Jesus’ superiority over the Law is “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire” (12:28,29).

In this chapter, he rambles through what the NIV Bible calls “concluding exhortations?” But in the middle of it all is an especially encouraging word about the trustworthiness of Jesus (and I’ve made it our “key verse” above). It speaks of Jesus’ “immutability”.

Immutability (or “unchangingness”) is one of God’s attributes. He never changes. His character is forever fixed. He is consistent.

This is why Jesus can be trusted today. Sometimes we think how wonderful it would be if we could have walked and talked with Him when He was “in the days of His flesh”. We think there would have been a greater sense of His presence or His reality — as it Jesus, like any other human, would be nearer if we were with Him in person. But think about it. “nearness” is not necessarily a spatial reality. For instance, we can lie under the same roof with someone, even sleep in the same bed and still feel very distant. Indifference, detachment, even alienation, unfortunately can sometimes characterize “intimacy”.

But Jesus is different. He’s as near to us today as He was to Peter, James, and John yesterday. He still saves from sin. He still heals. He still comforts. He still directs all who call on Him.

His love is as all-encompassing as always. His presence never fails. He’s true to His promise, “Lo, I am with you always, even unto the ends of the earth.” He is the final sacrifice for our sin. He is the faithful advocate with the Father. He’s a friend “who sticks closer than a brother.”