永不改變的救主
希伯來書十三章1至8節
1你們務要常存弟兄相愛的心。
2不可忘記用愛心接待客旅；因為曾有接待客旅的，不知不覺就接待了天使。
3你們要記念被捆綁的人，好像與他們同受捆綁；，也要記念遭苦害的人，想到自己也在肉身之內。
4婚姻，人人都當尊重，床也不可污穢；因為苟合行淫的人，神必要審判。
5你們存心不可貪愛錢財，要以自己所有的為足；因為主曾說：我總不撇下你，也不丟棄你。
6所以我們可以放膽說：主是幫助我的，我必不懼怕；人能把我怎麼樣呢？
7從前引導你們、傳神之道給你們的人，你們要想念他們，效法他們的信心，留心看他們為人的結局。
8耶穌基督，昨日、今日、一直到永遠、是一樣的。
信息分享
這段經文的頭幾節，便指出信徒要藉著愛護其他信徒和關心別人的需要來見證他的信心。有些基督徒只懂得用嚴厲的態度來批評其他信徒，表現得全無愛心和憐憫之心；這絕非基督想見到的。我們是不是這樣的呢？這幾節經文對我們有何啟發？
其次，接待客旅也是信心的另一個表現。福音信息乃是一個叫人開放自己去關心別人的信息，因此，開放自己的家去接待有需要的人，以及對有困難的人表達同情與關心，便是基督徒的另一個標記。
不過，這段經文的重點是要指出，我們雖然要尊重牧者和教會領袖，但他們紿終是人，始終會離開世界；只有基督是永遠常存和永不改變的(8節)。
基督的位格永遠不變，祂永遠是神。祂怎樣往天上去，將來也必怎樣回來(徒一11)。祂的祭司職任長久不更換(來七24)。祂的能力不會減少。祂會保守我們永不失腳(猶24)。而且，祂的應許也是不會改變的。這段經文的第5節提醒我們，祂不撇下我們，也不丟棄我們。基督從不食言，以後也永不食言。
這對我們今天有何意義呢？當我們讀神的話語，尤其是讀到福音書的時候，我們當緊記，那位在加利利、在伯大尼、在各各他山上的基督，祂的位格、祭司的職任、能力和應許都是永不改變的。祂至今仍然活著；祂有能力幫助我們；祂時刻與我們同在。我們是並不孤單的。祂昨天是怎樣，今天也是怎樣，將來也必如此。我們可以放心信靠祂。
禱告：
主啊，求你幫助我去信靠你和你的應許。
OUR UNCHANGING SAVIOUR
Hebrews 13:1-8
1 Let brotherly love continue.
2 Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels.
3 Remember the prisoners as if chained with them—those who are mistreated—since you yourselves are in the body also.
4 Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.
5 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
6 So we may boldly say:
“The Lord is my helper;
I will not fear.
What can man do to me?”
7 Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct.
8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Message
One of the great messages of the book of Hebrews concerns faith. But faith is not merely belief in something. Faith also acts, especially in daily living.
Here in the first few verses, faith shows itself in love of our fellow Christians and for those in need. Sometimes Christians allow themselves to become critical and harsh and unsympathetic toward other Christians. That is not what Christ wants to see in our lives. Does this speak to you today?
Secondly, gracious hospitality is another visible sign of faith. The gospel is the message of the open door. Shouldn't that extend to our homes as well? Sympathy for those in trouble is another mark of a Christian.
But the great message of this passage is that while we should respect our pastors and leaders, they are only human and therefore will pass away. Christ remains, always alive, always the same (v. 8).
He never changes in his person. He will be the same when he returns (Acts 1:11). He has an unchanging, never-ending priesthood (Hebrews 7:24). His power will never be any less than it has always been. He will always be able to keep us from falling (Jude 24). Remember too his promises will never alter. Verse 5 of this passage reminds us that he will never leave us nor forsake us. Christ has never broken a promise and never will.
What does this mean for us today? As you read God's Word, especially the gospels, remember that the Christ of Galilee, of Bethany, of Calvary is still exactly the same today in his person, his priesthood, his power and his promises. He is alive. He is able. He is here. You are not alone. Everything he was yesterday he will be today and will be tomorrow. You can count on him.
A PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord help me to count on your presence and your promises by faith today.