Hebrews 13:8 stands as one of the most memorable passages in the book–“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever.” It is common to hear this verse quoted in reference to the unchanging nature of Christ, but while that may be a true principle, it does not exhaust the full meaning of the passage. Contextually, the writer has in mind not just the immutability of the Savior, but the immutability of the Savior’s Word.
Hebrews was written to Jewish Christians on the brink of apostasy. Thus the first 10 chapters of the book rebuked them and reminded them of
the superiority Christ and the Christian system. In the final exhortations of the book we find 3 passages which highlight the fact that these Christians knew all of this to be true because they had been well taught in the truth of God’s Word.
Their teachers–those who ruled over them– had taught them faithfully by word and example (Heb. 13:7). But time had moved on and their
teachers along with it. What was to be done in their absence? Should they embrace “various and strange doctrines” brought in by other preachers (Heb. 13:9)? Would time alter the truth they had learned in the past? No. “Although the preachers change, the preaching must remain the same. The unchangeableness of the revelation is a consequence of the transcendent dignity of Jesus Christ, the originator of the preaching (2:3)” (Lane, WBC). This is the meaning of Hebrews 13:8.
Time brings change. 50 years ago our country looked very different. People dressed differently, cars were different, shopping was different, the
cultural concerns and fads were very different. God’s Word, however, was not different. The Bible reads exactly the same today as it always has, and always will. Sure, we may bring out fresh application to address new challenges in our time but the message stays the same. Beware of the “reset” mentality which seeks to “correct” all the things preachers of the past “got wrong.” Beware of the one who “re-studies” a subject and “through much prayer and meditation” reaches a conclusion which no one before him seems to have reached. Time changes but doctrine never does. “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today, and forever.” (Heb. 13:8).