Yesterday, Today and Forever

When conducting an experiment, it is necessary to have both a variable (something that changes) and constant (something that does not change). The variable is used to determine cause-and-effect, but the constant is required to objectively measure the effect. Life, while not a science experiment, contains many variables and is subject to change. Everyone is aware of this and many often quote Heraclitus, saying “The only thing that is constant is change.” Because the variables in experiments are controlled, it can be scary when the variables in life are out of our control.

Jonathon Edwards, a famous 18th century Puritan minister, recognized the fear this idea created and wrote a sermon based on Hebrews 13:8 (which says “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”) as a consolation to the godly. Here is an excerpt from that sermon:

“You may from this doctrine see the unchangeableness of his love. And therefore, when you consider how great love he seemed to manifest, when he yielded himself up to God a sacrifice for you, in his agony and bloody sweat in the garden, and when he went out to the place of his crucifixion bearing his own cross, you may rejoice that his love now is the same that it was then.

“And so when you think of past discoveries which Christ has made of himself in his glory, and in his love to your soul, you may comfort yourself that he is as glorious, and his love to you is as great, as it was in the time of these discoveries.

“You may greatly comfort yourself that you have an unchangeable friend in Christ Jesus. Constancy is justly looked upon as a most necessary and most desirable qualification in a friend. That he be not fickle, and so that his friendship cannot be depended on as that of a steady sure friend. How excellent his friendship is, you may learn from his manner of treating his disciples on earth, whom he graciously treated as a tender father his children, meekly instructing them, most friendly conversing with them, and being ready to pity them, and help them, and forgive their infirmities. And then you may consider this doctrine, and how it thence appears that he is the same still that he was then, and ever will be the same…

“When once you have entered on the happiness of heaven, it never shall be taken from you, because Christ, your Savior and friend, who bestows it on you, and in whom you have it, is unchangeable. He will be the same forever and ever, and therefore so will be your happiness in heaven. As Christ is an unchangeable Savior, so he is your unchangeable portion. That may be your rejoicing, that however your earthly enjoyments may be removed, Christ can never fail.”

His sermon brilliantly illustrates Christ’s role as a constant. Despite all of the variables we may face, Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

In Philippians 3:20-21, Paul writes that “our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.” Life on earth is subject to change, but with Jesus as our constant, we can receive an unchangeable life in heaven. However, this verse also shows us that Jesus has “the power that enables him to bring everything under his control.” Not only is Jesus our constant, but he also has everything under control. These are two important things to remember as we face life’s variables.

“He will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” 1 Corinthians 1:8-9