Final Exhortations: Focus on Jesus

The Greek philosopher Heraclitus once said, “The only thing constant is change.” Our experience and observation seem to validate his statement. From weather patterns, to political leaders, to our own bodies, life is constantly changing.

Scripture reminds us that at least one thing is perfectly constant: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (v. 8). The eternal God who created the world lives today, and remains forever the anchor for the Christian life. By focusing on Him, our lives should bear fruits of loyalty, endurance, and worship.

One way that we are loyal to the truth is by imitating our faithful leaders. Because Jesus does not change, and the truth about Christ remains the same, we must stay loyal to it, resisting the pull of false teaching (v. 9). In an age when some Christians are wanting to accommodate their teaching to the world’s values, Scripture reminds us that God’s truth does not change, and we must remain loyal to it.

Endurance is also required for us to focus on Jesus. Christ Himself offered the perfect sacrifice and “suffered outside the city gate to make the people holy through his own blood” (v. 12). That perfect and eternal sacrifice means we too must “go to him outside the camp, bearing the disgrace he bore” (v. 13). We can endure suffering because of the One who suffered for us.

Finally, we are called to a life of worship. In our corporate and private worship, we “offer to God a sacrifice of
praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name” (v. 15). But Scripture also tells us that our whole life is an act of worship, and “with such sacrifices God is pleased” (v. 16).

Pray with Us

We thank God for those who help provide nutritious meals in our cafeteria, The Commons. Their Christian character is evident in their competent, productive work and in the encouragement they are to others!