Jesus is our Model of Faithfulness
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8 (NIV)
Years ago, I was at a church where the people said they wanted to bring change and reach more people. The problem is that when we started making changes, I learned a vital lesson. Even though people say they want change, most of us don’t really like change unless we’re the ones making the change. In a constantly changing world that’s hard to understand, I take great comfort in the truth that Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever. We might not understand everything about God or even like some of His commands. However, we rest knowing that He won’t change His mind tomorrow. God is stable. God is steady. He doesn’t evolve because He’s already perfect. He’s full of wisdom and love, and that will never change. John Piper has this to say about Jesus being the same yesterday, today and forever:
Yesterday: It is crucial that Jesus Christ be the same yesterday as He is today because yesterday is when Jesus Christ showed us what He is really like in history.
Today: It is crucial that Jesus Christ be the same today as He was yesterday because today is when we have fellowship with Him and relate to Him as the person we know.
Tomorrow: It is crucial that Jesus Christ be the same tomorrow as He was yesterday and today because all our hope for everlasting joy hangs ultimately on Him.
Jesus is our model of faithfulness. If He were inconsistent or constantly prone to change, it would be difficult to follow Him and trust Him. The fact that He never changes helps us to surrender to Him fully and allows the Spirit to transform us. Everything Jesus is calling us to do, He has already done. His invitation is to live like Him. Faith is not about my faithfulness to God but His faithfulness to me. We’ve never been entirely faithful to God. If we base our faith on our performance, we’ll become discouraged and give up. Instead, our faith is built on Jesus' faithfulness to us. This allows the Spirit of God to conform and grow me to be more faithful daily. It’s not willpower or spiritual adrenaline; it’s the Spirit of God making me more like Jesus each and every day. We thank Jesus that His faithfulness is what changes us. Rest in the comfort that Jesus is our model for faithfulness. He will always be the same yesterday, today and forever.
Application: Reflect today on God’s faithfulness to you.
Prayer: Thank God for His faithfulness to you. Reflect on how God has been faithful in your past and present. Pray that this will allow you to trust Him fully with whatever you’re walking through in the future.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?