Grace be with you all (He 13:25). Amen.
You have heard the sentiment: “The more things change …” It is hard to argue with that phrase. We live with change all around us. Case in point is that we have now moved from summer to fall. And that is precisely what the leaves and temperatures are doing—falling. There is a change in colors on the trees and in clothing from our wardrobe.
And then you can finish the statement: “The more things change, the more they stay the same.” Again it is easy to agree. Just like last year and the year before, there is the consistent—foliage coming down and warmth going away. There is the need for a good rake and a warmer coat. That hasn’t changed.
“The more things change …” For the Hebrew Christians that perhaps meant persecution for their faith all the way to confiscation of their property. Life was not the same.
“The more things change, the more they stay the same.” God was still in control and in charge. As the unknown writer concludes his letter, we might paraphrase it this way: “The more things change, the more Jesus Christ stays the same.”
As the unnamed author closes his epistle, there are a number of final thoughts about faith that is active when it comes to people in general, an institution from God, possessions overall, and individuals at church. In a way, it is similar to what the prophet Amos urged: “Hate evil, love good” (Amos 5:15).
- People in general (He 13:1-3)
“The more things change.” It has played out today exactly as Jesus laid out once as he talked about the end of the world. “The love of most will grow cold” (Mt 24:12). The Hebrew Christians experienced it. It hasn’t gotten better. We might even express it. It is not a challenge to come up with examples—road rage on the highway to angry posts on the internet. It can come from our car or on our computer.
“The more Jesus Christ stays the same.” That is why the Father sent his Son to this earth. Jesus, our Brother, tasted death for us—in our place (He 2:9). He drank down the cup of suffering for our sins that was rightfully ours (Mt 26:39). He felt God’s full anger for our loveless attitudes and actions as he died on the cross. Because he suffered for our sin, he has set us apart from it (He 2:11). His forgiveness for our ongoing failures continues day after day.
And so it follows: “Keep on loving one another as brothers” (He 13:1). We have the same Father in heaven and faith in him. Our love for our brothers and sisters lingers and lasts—not in contention or competition, but with concern and compassion.
And the inspired author gives two concrete situations:
“Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it” (He 13:2). As people were forced from their homes back then, they couldn’t stop at the local Holiday Inn or Motel 6 for a comfy bed and continental breakfast. There weren’t any. They had to rely on the hospitality of others. That was part of the culture. Just like in the Old Testament when the Lord and two angels stopped by Abraham’s tent on their way to Sodom and Gomorrah (Ge 18). Even though he had no idea who they were, Abraham gladly opened his home—offering quite a meal of meat, bread, and milk—to those who were unfamiliar to him. He did it out of brotherly love.
We might not actually receive an angel as a guest. But we don’t have to look down or look away if someone is who is new to us—in our worship or in our neighborhood. That can be a handshake to a hearty greeting. “Keep on loving one another as brothers” (He 13:1)
“Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering” (He 13:3). Those who confessed Christ were unfairly put behind bars. They depended on the generosity of others to care for them—providing food while they were confined.
Some are justly (and unjustly) incarcerated nowadays. But we ought not to turn our backs on them. They need to know that their guilt is not too great for Jesus to get rid of. That is why our church body carries on a prison ministry—to reach out to inmates with the good news of a Savior. That is even one of the things that Jesus highlighted as evidence of faith to the sheep on his right in a parable. “I was in prison and you came to visit me” (Mt 25:36). When they wondered when, Jesus went on: “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me” (Mt 25:40). Thus the encouragement: “Keep on loving one another as brothers” (He 13:1).
- An institution from God (He 13:4)
“The more things change.” We live in a society where marriage is under attack, or at least, in question. What is it? Many might not be able to answer that. And the gift reserved for marriage is exercised before marriage with someone or during marriage with another. Soap operas and sitcoms and sick jokes don’t help us value the close bond between husband and wife that the Lord has formed.
“The more Jesus Christ stays the same.” Jesus defended what God designed back in the perfection of the Garden of Eden, bringing Eve to Adam: “But at the beginning of creation God ‘made them male and female.’ ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two, but one” (Mk 10:6-8).
We need to be on guard that our outlook on this is that it does not fall under the category of convenient or casual—stomping on the Sixth Commandment because it makes me feel good or it feels right. It is sinful and serious. But Jesus Christ handed himself over for the Church, his Bride, making her “without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless” (Eph 5:27). He was condemned for our lack of purity. Thus the reality in every way: “Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure” (He 13:4). For the married and unmarried, we will fear and love God that we lead a pure and decent life in words and actions. And spouses will love and honor each other (Explanation to the Sixth Commandment).
- Possessions overall (He 13:5-7)
“The more things change.” What is enough? As technology improves and sales abound, a reply may be, “A little more”—whether it is better phones for communication or bigger closets for outfits. The chase is on for the latest and greatest (Mt 6:32). Again, that is not necessarily wrong. Money is a means, a tool. We acknowledge what we have as coming from a loving heavenly Father (Ja 1:17). The issue is if we set our hearts on it like the rich young man who approached Jesus (cf 1 Ti 6:6ff.). Jesus pointed out that he had not loved God above all things. Therefore, “He went away sad, because he had great wealth” (Mk 10:22). The sacred writer addresses our character and conduct: “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have” (He 13:5).
“The more Jesus Christ stays the same.” How can we do away with ungodly greed, unending getting and grabbing? Go back to God’s promise: “because God has said [it is still in force and in effect], ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you’” (He 13:5). Two times. Never. Never. He won’t desert us in our distress. Just like he assured the new leader of Israel, Joshua as he was about to receive the mantle from Moses, the Lord announces his presence with us (Dt 31:5; Jos 1:5). The Lord knows what we need (and want) and he understands completely when or where or how to give it to us. Since he did not spare his Son, he will make sure that he provides all things for us (Ro 8:32). Even if or when we don’t understand how. “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God” (Mk 10:27).
And that is why we can be bold and brave: “So we say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?’” (He 13:6). Nothing. Like a doctor who diagnoses and prescribes when we are in need, our God directs and protects as we make our way to heaven. We are undisturbed and undaunted.
- Individuals at church (He 13:8,9)
“The more things change.” I will list some names: Gausewitz, Plocher, Nauman, Petermann. All former and faithful pastors here at St. John now enjoying the eternal rest of an everlasting place at the side of the One they preached and proclaimed. The Hebrew Christians had names that came to their minds too. “Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith” (He 13:8). They opened their mouths and opened the Scriptures. They made known the good news about Jesus.
“The more Jesus Christ stays the same.” A pastor is a person—with likes and dislikes, qualities and quirks. We don’t have to mimic those. But we continue to copy their full commitment to Christ as one day we fall asleep in Jesus as they have (Re 2:10).
The more things change, the more Jesus Christ stays the same. That sounds like the psalmist had us sing: “From everlasting to everlasting you are God” (Ps 90:2). Or in the divine writer’s words: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (He 13:8). He is Jesus—true God and true man, Savior, because he rescued us from our sins (Mt 1:21). He is Christ, the Anointed One, who speaks God’s word to us, who sacrificed his life for us, and who sits on his throne over us. Jesus Christ—constant throughout the past, in the present, and into the future. Even in the fall of the year, the more things change, the more Jesus Christ stays the same.
We read from Hebrews 13:1-8:
1 Keep on loving one another as brothers.
2 Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.
3 Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, 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.”
6 So we say with confidence,
“The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.
What can man do to me?”
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.
May the God of peace …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 (He 13:20,21).
October 14, 2018
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