Jesus Christ is the Same Yesterday, Today, and Forever

Hebrews 13:7-8(NKJV)

7Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct. 

8Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. 

This is a truth that causes trouble for many in the Christian faith.  A lot of people think of Jesus as all love, the Prince of Peace, and all of that.  They have a hard time with Scripture references like this one.

Matthew 10:34-36(NKJV)

34“Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. 

35For I have come to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’; 

36and ‘a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.’ £ 

That sure doesn’t seem very loving and peaceful does it?  That doesn't seem to square with the Kumbaya approach to Jesus.  But let's look at Hebrews 13:8 a bit more closely. 

Hebrews 13:8(NKJV)

8Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. 

The first and at least for me the most comforting thing about that verse is that it reassures me of Christ's consistency.  He doesn't change.  Makes it easier to trust in his promises. 

Here is where it gets sticky for some people.  In addition to Christ not changing, He is always in agreement with and in total support of God.  You know all of those times in the Old Testament where God tells the Jews to kill every living thing; ,man, woman, and child, Jesus was OK and in agreement with that. 

Doesn't that create a conflict?  For me, not at all.  As I've written in the past, we have to chose sides.  We either chose to be on God's side or we chose to be His enemy.  Once we've heard the Gospel story and been given a chance to accept Jesus, we have chosen sides. 

Jesus is the catalyst that forces all of mankind to make that final choice.  Jesus did indeed come to bring a sword.  What is the purpose of that Sword?  To subdue the enemies of God.  Who are the enemies of God?  All that have not chosen Jesus.  What about you?  Have you chosen sides yet?