永不改变的救主
希伯来书十三章1至8节
1你们务要常存弟兄相爱的心。
2不可忘记用爱心接待客旅；因为曾有接待客旅的，不知不觉就接待了天使。
3你们要记念被捆绑的人，好像与他们同受捆绑；，也要记念遭苦害的人，想到自己也在肉身之内。
4婚姻，人人都当尊重，床也不可污秽；因为苟合行淫的人，神必要审判。
5你们存心不可贪爱钱财，要以自己所有的为足；因为主曾说：我总不撇下你，也不丢弃你。
6所以我们可以放胆说：主是帮助我的，我必不惧怕；人能把我怎么样呢？
7从前引导你们、传神之道给你们的人，你们要想念他们，效法他们的信心，留心看他们为人的结局。
8耶稣基督，昨日、今日、一直到永远、是一样的。
信息分享
这段经文的头几节，便指出信徒要借着爱护其他信徒和关心别人的需要来见证他的信心。有些基督徒只懂得用严厉的态度来批评其他信徒，表现得全无爱心和怜悯之心；这绝非基督想见到的。我们是不是这样的呢？这几节经文对我们有何启发？
其次，接待客旅也是信心的另一个表现。福音信息乃是一个叫人开放自己去关心别人的信息，因此，开放自己的家去接待有需要的人，以及对有困难的人表达同情与关心，便是基督徒的另一个标记。
不过，这段经文的重点是要指出，我们虽然要尊重牧者和教会领袖，但他们绐终是人，始终会离开世界；只有基督是永远常存和永不改变的(8节)。
基督的位格永远不变，祂永远是神。祂怎样往天上去，将来也必怎样回来(徒一11)。祂的祭司职任长久不更换(来七24)。祂的能力不会减少。祂会保守我们永不失脚(犹24)。而且，祂的应许也是不会改变的。这段经文的第5节提醒我们，祂不撇下我们，也不丢弃我们。基督从不食言，以后也永不食言。
这对我们今天有何意义呢？当我们读神的话语，尤其是读到福音书的时候，我们当紧记，那位在加利利、在伯大尼、在各各他山上的基督，祂的位格、祭司的职任、能力和应许都是永不改变的。祂至今仍然活着；祂有能力帮助我们；祂时刻与我们同在。我们是并不孤单的。祂昨天是怎样，今天也是怎样，将来也必如此。我们可以放心信靠祂。
祷告：
主啊，求你帮助我去信靠你和你的应许。
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.