(7) Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation. (8) Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever. (9) Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.
It is truly interesting to behold, more or less, in every Epistle, where affectionate recommendations are given to the Church, to be attentive in all the tokens of love and regard, to the Pastors, whom the Lord had set over them, and on the other hand, how much the truly ordained Servants in the ministry are called upon to distinguish themselves, from mere hirelings, by a careful watching over, and tenderly feeding the flock. And do observe, Reader, in this instance now before us, how much stress is laid upon the Church's following the faith of their Pastors. A thing taken for granted, that they are not only, speaking to their people; the word of God, but eminently living in the practice of it. And what a lovely sight, when the Pastor and People are striving together for the faith of the Gospel. But I beg the Reader also in this account to observe, what is said, concerning the end of the Pastor's conversation, namely, Jesus Christ. If the Reader be particular to notice, he will see that the words of one verse run into the other. The end of their conversation is Jesus Christ. A plain proof, that the Holy Ghost will have no other subject in his Church. everything centers itself in Jesus Christ. He that is the first and last in Jehovah's thoughts is, or ought to be, the beginning and end of every faithful minister's conversation. See a beautiful picture of this, in the early Church, Acts 8:5; Acts 8:5
Pause over the short, but comprehensive statement, which God the Holy Spirit hath in this verse given of the Lord our Rightousness, Jesus Christ, the same yesterday and today, and forever! Every word is big with importance; and to dwell upon each might fill volumes. First. His name, Jesus. A Savior! for so the name imports. And whether considered in the Godhead of his nature and essence, as one with the Father, over all, God blessed forever; or whether, in his twofold, nature, as God and Man, Mediator; every way, and in all things, he is a Savior, and expressly called Jesus, on that account; for he shall save his people from their sins, Matthew 1:21. Reader! beg for grace to be continually meditating on bite sweet savor of his name, Jesus; that a name, which perfumes all heaven, may give continually fragrancy to the Church upon earth; and be in every believing heart, as the savor of the richest ointment poured forth, Song of Solomon 1:3
Secondly. He is not only Jesus, but Jesus Christ; that is the anointed, sent, and sealed, of the Father, full of grace and truth. Reader! this is a most blessed, and interesting part of his name. Jehovah's name, and Jehovah's authority is in him, and with him. Christ glorified not himself, to be made an High Priest, but was called of God, as was Aaron, Hebrews 5:4-5. And what a warrant such a view of the Lord Jesus gives, to the fullest exercise of every believer's faith and hope: when he not only goes to the throne of grace here below, but will hereafter stand before the throne of judgment above, in the blood and righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ, and also in the way of God's own appointing, the salvation he himself hath sent is his dear Son. Oh! the blessedness of that scripture, which Old Testament saints used; and which is the same strength to the faith of New Testament believers; Behold! O God our shield, and look upon the face of thine Anointed, Psalms 84:9
Thirdly. Jesus Christ the same. Yes! Every circumstance belonging to his Person, Offices, Characters, Relations, Royalties, faithfulness to God, to man, love to his Church, and people; all partake of this everlasting sameness. He is the same yesterday. What yesterday? In all the eternity past. Set up from everlasting in his Mediator character, Proverbs 8:23. The Lamb slain from the foundation of the world, Revelation 13:8. Today. What day? Nay, the whole day of the World's continuance in the time-state of the church. And forever? That forever, which God the Father hath marked, when he said to him: Thy throne, 0 God, is forever, and ever! Psalms 45:6; Hebrews 1:8. Reader! pause over the wonderful account, and ponder well the sameness of his Person, his love, his grace, and all the unchangeableness of his Godhead, Mediator-character, and offices; the same yesterday, and to-day, and forever. Never will a child of God be in danger of being carried away with divers, and strange doctrines, whose heart is established in the grace of the Holy Ghost, having been regenerated, and taught by Him, Who Christ is, and the everlasting unchangeableness in all that relates to his Person, and Character. Lord Jesus, thou Great Author, and Finisher of faith! do thou, in the present awful day of a Christ-despising, generation, take to thyself thy great Name. Establish, confirm, and strengthen all thine own, in this most glorious truth; that no change of time, nor change of men, nor change of worlds, may shake them from this faith! Lord! be thou to them in time, what thou art, and will be, to all eternity; Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, and to-day, and forever.