Hebrews 1:6-14: a reflection

6When he again brings in the firstborn into the world he says, “Let all the angels of God worship him.” 7Of the angels he says, “He makes his angels winds, and his servants a flame of fire.” 8But of the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever. The scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your Kingdom. 9You have loved righteousness and hated iniquity; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness above your fellows.” 10And, “You, Lord, in the beginning, laid the foundation of the earth. The heavens are the works of your hands. 11They will perish, but you continue. They all will grow old like a garment does. 12You will roll them up like a mantle, and they will be changed; but you are the same. Your years won’t fail.” 13But which of the angels has he told at any time, “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies the footstool of your feet?” 14Aren’t they all serving spirits, sent out to do service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation?

Contrasting the Son with the angels, the writer to the Hebrews quotes Scripture that exalts Christ's eternal, unchanging nature. Of the Son he says, Your throne, O God, is forever and ever. And: You, Lord, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth; the heavens are the works of your hands. They will perish, but you continue; they will grow old like a garment, and you will roll them up; but you are the same, and your years won't fail. Christ is eternal, unchanging; when the heavens and earth themselves perish and change, he remains the same, his years never failing.

Notice what is said of Christ: he is eternal and unchanging, the same when all else passes. The heavens and earth, seemingly so permanent, will perish, grow old, be changed, rolled up like a worn garment; but Christ remains the same, his years never failing. He does not grow old or change or pass away; when even the creation changes and perishes, he abides, unchanged. Christ is the unchanging one, the same yesterday, today, and forever, remaining constant when everything else, even the heavens, passes and changes. He is eternal and unchanging.

That is worth resting in, for in a world where everything changes and passes, Christ remains the same, a constant we can hold to. Everything around us changes; the seemingly permanent things pass, grow old, are altered; nothing earthly stays the same. But Christ remains the same, unchanging, when all else changes and perishes. In the midst of a changing, passing world, Christ is the unchanging one, a constant to hold to. When everything around you is changing and passing, do not despair as though there were nothing constant to hold to; Christ remains the same, his years never failing, when even the heavens pass. Rest in the unchanging Christ, who is the same when all else changes and perishes, a constant in a changing world; for he is eternal and unchanging, and while the heavens grow old and are changed, he remains the same, and his years will not fail, a sure and constant one to hold to amid all that passes.

Lord, contrasting the Son with the angels, the writer to the Hebrews quotes Scripture that exalts Christ's eternal, unchanging nature. Of the Son he says, your throne, O God, is forever and ever. And: you, Lord, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth; the heavens are the works of your hands. They will perish, but you continue; they will grow old like a garment, and you will roll them up; but you are the same, and your years won't fail. Christ is eternal, unchanging; when the heavens and earth themselves perish and change, he remains the same. Show me what is said of Christ: he is eternal and unchanging, the same when all else passes. The heavens and earth, seemingly so permanent, will perish, grow old, be changed; but Christ remains the same, his years never failing. He does not grow old or change or pass away; when even the creation changes and perishes, he abides, unchanged. Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Let me rest in that, for in a world where everything changes and passes, Christ remains the same, a constant I can hold to. Everything around me changes; the seemingly permanent things pass; nothing earthly stays the same. But Christ remains the same when all else changes and perishes. When everything around me is changing and passing, keep me from despairing as though there were nothing constant to hold to; Christ remains the same. Help me rest in the unchanging Christ, Lord, who is the same when all else changes and perishes, a constant in a changing world; for he is eternal, and his years will not fail.