As fall begins, we are reminded that change in the world is ongoing. The Greek philosopher Heraclitus said: “There is nothing permanent except change.” But he was wrong. The only thing that is permanent is our coequal and coeternal Triune God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8 ESV)
On this day, October 31, many churches will celebrate the anniversary of the Reformation. Whether you are Catholic or Protestant, a gift of the Reformation – for which all Christians can be thankful – is the translation of the Bible into common languages.
For much of Church history, only those who could read Hebrew, Greek, or Latin could read the Bible. Then, almost five hundred years ago, Martin Luther finished translating the Bible into German. Combined with the invention of Gutenberg’s moveable-type printing press, God’s Word quickly became accessible to many common people in their own language for the first time.
This monumental change still echoes today. There are several Bible translation groups diligently working to bring the Bible to everyone on Earth. God’s Gospel News is especially powerful when people can read it in their own language. Now, at least a portion of the Bible is available in over 3,700 languages!
Have you read your Bible lately? Give thanks to God that you can!
And as the world changes around us in ways that are scary … when the messages around us only seem to be grim … remember that Jesus is the same as He was, is, and will be forever.
When you fall ill or get injured … when you lose a loved one or your job … when you dread the direction our country is heading … remember that Jesus is the same as He was, is, and will be forever.
But what does it mean that Jesus is the same?
It means that His love for you is still the same. It means that His sacrifice on the cross still covers all your sins, just as fully today as it did 2,000 years ago. It means that you can trust in His promise of salvation for the rest of your life.
“For if we have been united with Him in a death like His, we shall certainly be united with Him in a resurrection like His.” (Romans 6:5 ESV)
One of my favorite quotes from Luther is: “When the devil throws your sins in your face and declares that you deserve death and hell, tell him this: ‘I admit that I deserve death and hell, what of it? For I know One who suffered and made satisfaction on my behalf. His name is Jesus Christ, Son of God, and where He is, there I shall be also!’”
In Jesus, the promise of salvation is eternal. So, in the swirling sea of changes around you, cling to the only steady Anchor: Jesus Christ, our unchanging hope.
Soli Deo Gloria!
(Published on the Devotional Page of the Alpine Avalanche Newspaper on Thurs, October 31, 2024)
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