Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Hebrews 13:8
so that through two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible that God would prove false, we who have taken refuge might be strongly encouraged to seize the hope set before us. We have this hope, a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters the inner shrine behind the curtain, where Jesus, a forerunner on our behalf, has entered, Hebrews 6:18-20
This past weekend at home, I was sitting at my desk looking outside the window. In the background, I could hear the television reports of the latest COVID-19 spread. A steady stream of emails arriving in my inbox and accompanied by the sounds our technology make to announce a triumphant presence. Even now, an extraordinary amount of junk mail. A text message reporting the latest changes to the contain the spread in our region and inviting me to the latest briefing. I refresh the computer screen to learn of the minute by minute breaking news.
Then amidst all this information, I hear a familiar sound outside of the window. In the past, I would have ignored the sound, and today, I was drawn to it. I get up, and in the rain gutter, a cardinal is methodically picking through twigs, patiently searching for the right one. I think to myself, how do they know? Yet they know. In that instant, the entire backyard opened up. The two squirrels that are always chasing and fighting with one another are at it again. Robins pick for worms while ignoring the fight of the squirrels. God’s creatures continue on, unaware of COVID-19 or any shelter in place.
While at this moment, our lives are disrupted, the miracles that are so pervasive in life will continue to happen, and Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. This is our hope, and it is the anchor for our souls. This time we are in is just a small arc on this holy pilgrimage called life.
During this time, let us live with the trust that the sun will rise, and the moon will set. The clouds will swirl in their majestic dance, and the stars will shine in their celestial brilliance. The birds, trees, animals, and streams of water will continue on with their assured path and purpose. Look, the flowers are now piercing through from their temporary entombment, gently emerging for their dark winter isolation. The wonder as they join with other flowers to create swaths of color throughout the landscape.
This is our hope. A constant presence and eternal changelessness. Just like Christ never changes and He is with us. We will be together once again. We will color the landscape, we will shine in our brilliance and swirl in a majestic dance. And at that time, there will be the same knowing that Christ never changes, and He is with us.
Go to the window, take a look, say a prayer, and do not fear. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Isn’t it glorious? Oh wow, I never noticed the variation of colors in that leaf…