Change

We don’t like change. We like change. We change. We don’t change.

These are some of the comments that we tend to give when we find ourselves talking about change.

I have my suspicions: I suspect that human beings innately don’t like change, and that this is by design rather than a flaw. An observation that lends credence to this is our appreciation for constancy, consistency, and stability.

But, of course, there are people that disdain constancy. It is seen as a lack of progress, growth, adaptability and maturity.

Certainly, we desire progress, growth and maturity, but is there merit to constancy? Should everything and everyone change? Must everyone change?

I definitely think we are subject to change and given to change, because of the existence of time. Time creates room for change. Time itself may not change certain things, but if given enough time, things change.

What happens, then, when you step out of time? What happens when we are dealing with a Being that is not subject to time? A Being that exists outside and over time?

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

Hebrews 13:8 (ESV)

How do we conceive of a being that doesn’t not change?

The amazing observation about the verse above is in the word ‘same’. We think of ‘same’ as meaning an exact identity; a copy.

An interlinear Bible renders this same verse as: “Jesus Christ yesterday and today is the same and to the ages”.

This is striking to my mind, because I don’t think we are thinking about what Jesus Christ will be in the ages to come. I think we are particularly interested in what is Jesus Christ today? How do we know what He is today? Do we have a basis to put confidence in him? How do we know how we will function today?

The writer of Hebrews gives an answer we could never have come up with. He tells us to look at Jesus, yesterday. The Jesus Christ of yesterday is the same Jesus Christ of today.

We don’t ‘see’ Him today. But we know how He was yesterday, we can have absolute confidence that He will come through in a similar way.

Why?

Jesus Christ yesterday and today is the same. Our lot is different, obviously on account of the cross, but it’s not because Jesus himself changed. He is the same yesterday and today.

What does this mean for us?

First: You will change. Your hair will get thinner, wrinkle lines will appear. Your spouse will change. The world around you will change. And it’s fine. Take it in your stride.

Second: The possibility of change is an advantage we have in time. We can use the passage of time to change we ways we desire.

Third: There is a final change that awaits all believers in Christ. We will finally be like Christ, for we shall see him as He is (Phil 3:21; 1 John 3:2).

Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed.

1 Corinthians 15:51 (ESV)

Lastly: We were designed for constancy. That’s why, somewhere in our minds, I believe most of us don’t like change. We suspect that things were not supposed to be this way. Well, there is an age and a place were everything will be perfect. Excellent. All things beautiful. And we’ll be freed from the burden or pressure of this existence and change.

Why am I sure of this?

Because Jesus Christ yesterday and today is the same and to the ages.