Hebrews 13:8
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
— Hebrews 13:8 NIV
Devotional
Pilate stood face-to-face with Jesus and asked: “What is truth?” But perhaps Pilate was asking the wrong question. Truth wasn't merely standing in front of him. Truth was standing in front of him in human flesh. Jesus said: “I am the truth.” And that brings us to the ultimate question: What will you do with Jesus?
Sunday's sermon concluded by pointing out that truth doesn't change with the times. Jesus doesn't become less true because culture changes. Jesus doesn't become less Lord because people reject Him. Jesus doesn't become less Savior because someone refuses to believe. And His authority isn't determined by public opinion. But here's where grace becomes especially important. God does not force salvation upon us. Grace invites. Grace awakens. Grace convicts. Grace enables. And we are called to respond. God's grace reaches toward us, but we must respond in faith.
The question is not simply whether Jesus is Truth. The question is: Will I surrender to the Truth? Will I allow Jesus to determine what I believe? Will I allow Jesus to determine how I live? Will I allow Jesus to confront my sin? Will I allow Jesus to transform my heart? Will I follow Him when it is popular? Will I follow Him when it costs me? Christianity isn't about winning an argument concerning truth. It is about knowing the One who is Truth.
Read the Context
Hebrews 13 NIV
Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. 2 Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. 3 Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.
4 Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral. 5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,
“Never will I leave you;
never will I forsake you.”[a]
6 So we say with confidence,
“The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.
What can mere mortals do to me?”[b]
7 Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
9 Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings. It is good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace, not by eating ceremonial foods, which is of no benefit to those who do so. 10 We have an altar from which those who minister at the tabernacle have no right to eat.
11 The high priest carries the blood of animals into the Most Holy Place as a sin offering, but the bodies are burned outside the camp. 12 And so Jesus also suffered outside the city gate to make the people holy through his own blood. 13 Let us, then, go to him outside the camp, bearing the disgrace he bore. 14 For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come.
15 Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. 16 And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
17 Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you.
18 Pray for us. We are sure that we have a clear conscience and desire to live honorably in every way. 19 I particularly urge you to pray so that I may be restored to you soon.
20 Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, 21 equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
22 Brothers and sisters, I urge you to bear with my word of exhortation, for in fact I have written to you quite briefly.
23 I want you to know that our brother Timothy has been released. If he arrives soon, I will come with him to see you.
24 Greet all your leaders and all the Lord’s people. Those from Italy send you their greetings.
25 Grace be with you all.
Footnotes
Make it Personal
If Jesus really is the Truth:
Practical Application
Pray, “Jesus, I surrender my right to define truth. You are Truth. Teach me to live accordingly.” Then sit quietly before God.
Sample Prayer
Jesus, You are the Truth. I surrender my life to You. Where I have believed lies, reveal the truth. Where I have resisted You, give me surrender. Where I have compromised, give me courage. Where I have sinned, give me repentance. Where I have been selfish, teach me holy love. Continue Your work of grace in me until my heart and life increasingly reflect You. I choose to follow You—not merely when it is easy, but every day. Amen.
Pilate stood face-to-face with Jesus and asked: “What is truth?” But perhaps Pilate was asking the wrong question. Truth wasn't merely standing in front of him. Truth was standing in front of him in human flesh. Jesus said: “I am the truth.” And that brings us to the ultimate question: What will you do with Jesus?
Sunday's sermon concluded by pointing out that truth doesn't change with the times. Jesus doesn't become less true because culture changes. Jesus doesn't become less Lord because people reject Him. Jesus doesn't become less Savior because someone refuses to believe. And His authority isn't determined by public opinion. But here's where grace becomes especially important. God does not force salvation upon us. Grace invites. Grace awakens. Grace convicts. Grace enables. And we are called to respond. God's grace reaches toward us, but we must respond in faith.
The question is not simply whether Jesus is Truth. The question is: Will I surrender to the Truth? Will I allow Jesus to determine what I believe? Will I allow Jesus to determine how I live? Will I allow Jesus to confront my sin? Will I allow Jesus to transform my heart? Will I follow Him when it is popular? Will I follow Him when it costs me? Christianity isn't about winning an argument concerning truth. It is about knowing the One who is Truth.
Read the Context
Hebrews 13 NIV
Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. 2 Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. 3 Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.
4 Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral. 5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,
“Never will I leave you;
never will I forsake you.”[a]
6 So we say with confidence,
“The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.
What can mere mortals do to me?”[b]
7 Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
9 Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings. It is good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace, not by eating ceremonial foods, which is of no benefit to those who do so. 10 We have an altar from which those who minister at the tabernacle have no right to eat.
11 The high priest carries the blood of animals into the Most Holy Place as a sin offering, but the bodies are burned outside the camp. 12 And so Jesus also suffered outside the city gate to make the people holy through his own blood. 13 Let us, then, go to him outside the camp, bearing the disgrace he bore. 14 For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come.
15 Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. 16 And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
17 Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you.
18 Pray for us. We are sure that we have a clear conscience and desire to live honorably in every way. 19 I particularly urge you to pray so that I may be restored to you soon.
20 Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, 21 equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
22 Brothers and sisters, I urge you to bear with my word of exhortation, for in fact I have written to you quite briefly.
23 I want you to know that our brother Timothy has been released. If he arrives soon, I will come with him to see you.
24 Greet all your leaders and all the Lord’s people. Those from Italy send you their greetings.
25 Grace be with you all.
Footnotes
- Hebrews 13:5 Deut. 31:6
- Hebrews 13:6 Psalm 118:6,7
Make it Personal
If Jesus really is the Truth:
- What needs to change in my life?
- What am I still trying to control?
- What area of my life have I not completely surrendered to Christ?
- Am I willing to follow Jesus regardless of what the culture says?
Practical Application
Pray, “Jesus, I surrender my right to define truth. You are Truth. Teach me to live accordingly.” Then sit quietly before God.
Sample Prayer
Jesus, You are the Truth. I surrender my life to You. Where I have believed lies, reveal the truth. Where I have resisted You, give me surrender. Where I have compromised, give me courage. Where I have sinned, give me repentance. Where I have been selfish, teach me holy love. Continue Your work of grace in me until my heart and life increasingly reflect You. I choose to follow You—not merely when it is easy, but every day. Amen.
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