272. HEB 13:8. IMMUTABILITY OF CHRIST

Heb_13:8. Immutability of Christ

"Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today and forever."’97Heb_13:8.

Nothing can be more profitable to the devout mind than the contemplation of the glories of Messiah’s person and work. We cannot have too high and exalted notions of the Son of God. When our imaginations have been extended to the utmost, he will possess beauties and excellencies, of which we shall have but very feeble and imperfect views. And all his excellencies and perfections are for our benefit and consolation. His omnipotence is our defence’97his grace the fountain of our supplies’97his immutability the immoveable basis of our soul’s hope. It is Christ’s unchangeable character which places before us strong and abiding consolation.

Let us, then, just glance,

I. At the Mutability of every thing that surrounds us.

And,

II. Then exhibit in contrast the Immutability of Christ.

Notice,

I. The Mutability of every thing that surrounds us.

1. Behold the changes connected with the earth.

Its altering scenes, its daily changes, its seasons of summer and autumn, winter and spring. Now all smiling and fruitful, and then all dreary and sterile.

2. Look at kingdoms and countries.

Now prosperous, rich, and powerful; hen devastated, poor, and degraded. Think of Thebes, Babylon, Nineveh, Athens, Rome, Jerusalem Judea, Egypt, &c.

3. Behold families.

Some elevated from obscurity, others cast down from affluence and greatness.

4. Look at man.

Either as to his body, mind, or condition. All evanescent’97fleeting. No certainty. No stability. Light and darkness, health and sickness, sorrow and joy, life and death. At his best estate vanity.

Let us then withdraw our attention from the mutable world, and look,

II. At the Exhibition of the Immutability of Christ.

He is the same "yesterday," including all duration past; "today," including all time present; and "forever," all the unending ages of eternity.

Now Jesus is the same,

1. In the dignity of his person.

He is the fellow and equal of Jehovah. The true God. The Heir of all things. Lord of glory. Now this dignity is above the reach of earthly influence. No events or circumstances can affect him. He is ever independent and self-existent, "the same yesterday," &c.

2. In his unrivalled glories.

His radiant crown ever resplendent with effulgent celestial glory; his exalted throne is immoveable; his revenue of praise and honor exhaustless and eternal.

3. In the extent of his power.

All power belongs to him, both in heaven and on earth. His arm is almighty. Nothing can weaken it. None can stay its wondrous operations, or say unto him, What doest thou?

4. In the vastness of his love.

Love is his unalterable essence and nature. He is not so much any thing as he is love. And it never can be lessened or affected. He ever remains the exhaustless fountain of beneficence and love.

He is the same,

5. In the virtue of his merits and sacrifice.

His merits avail for a guilty world, and extend to every age and place during its existence. The virtue of his sacrifice availed for Abel, and from him to every believing contrite sinner down to the present moment; and its efficacy is unimpaired’97it is as guilt-removing, soul-purifying, and peace-procuring as ever. Myriads of ages cannot impair its virtue, or lessen its value 6. In the tenderness of his compassion.

This he displayed of old to the unbelieving Israelites in the desert. He greatly exhibited it during the days of his flesh. He died giving a rich proof of it in the prayer he offered for his murderers. He arose with the same overflowing of his heart; and, though he is now exalted to the highest throne of glory, he is still "our compassionate highpriest," &c. Heb_4:15.

He is the same,

7. In his fidelity to his promises.

His word is firmer than the pillars of heaven. He cannot withdraw any word that is gone out of his mouth. Not a man that he should lie, &c. Seeing all things from the beginning, his purposes stand fast, and his counsel changeth not. Not a word has ever failed; not a jot or tittle can ever fail. The honor and glory of his character rest upon the immutability of his truth.

Application

We learn,

1. The divinity of Jesus. Absolute immutability is one of the essential attributes of God. Yet it is obviously ascribed to Jesus Christ.

2. The security of his cause. All he is, and has, stand pledged for the security and final triumph of his cause. It rests on his immutability. If he cannot change, the results are sure and certain.

3. The comfort of believers. In seasons of darkness, temptation, weakness, affliction, death, Jesus, the source of all grace and consolation, is the "same yesterday," &c., &c.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS