WEBVTT 1 00:00:00.300 --> 00:00:04.900 Grace be to you and peace from God our Father and from our Lord Jesus 2 00:00:04.900 --> 00:00:05.300 Christ. 3 00:00:05.300 --> 00:00:06.600 Amen. 4 00:00:08.000 --> 00:00:12.900 The Word of God that we consider as the basis of our meditation today 5 00:00:12.900 --> 00:00:18.600 as we begin our 182nd academic year has been caused by the Holy Spirit 6 00:00:18.600 --> 00:00:23.300 to be recorded in the book of Hebrews where we read in the 13th 7 00:00:23.300 --> 00:00:25.700 chapter the 8th verse. 8 00:00:27.400 --> 00:00:30.400 Jesus Christ is the same 9 00:00:31.200 --> 00:00:35.000 yesterday and today and forever 10 00:00:37.600 --> 00:00:39.700 In Jesus name. Amen. 11 00:00:41.800 --> 00:00:47.800 One of the words I have heard expressed recently quite a bit. 12 00:00:49.100 --> 00:00:52.000 Is the word unprecedented. 13 00:00:54.400 --> 00:00:58.400 It's been used in reference to the coronavirus fairly often. 14 00:00:59.700 --> 00:01:02.700 And that's a pretty strong claim. 15 00:01:03.900 --> 00:01:05.700 To say that something is unprecedented. 16 00:01:07.400 --> 00:01:11.500 It means that it has never happened before there's never been anything 17 00:01:11.500 --> 00:01:12.300 like this before. 18 00:01:14.700 --> 00:01:20.100 If you could go back in time to visit with those who experienced the 19 00:01:20.100 --> 00:01:25.000 chaos following the incident of the Tower of Babel. 20 00:01:27.000 --> 00:01:31.200 And you were to tell them about this unprecedented virus. 21 00:01:33.000 --> 00:01:37.000 I imagine they might say to you unprecedented. 22 00:01:38.700 --> 00:01:41.100 We'll tell you about something unprecedented. 23 00:01:43.200 --> 00:01:48.200 Or if you were to go back to the time of Noah and make the same 24 00:01:48.200 --> 00:01:50.600 observation to him following the flood. 25 00:01:51.700 --> 00:01:55.300 He might very well say unprecedented. 26 00:01:55.300 --> 00:01:59.400 I will tell you about unprecedented. 27 00:02:01.900 --> 00:02:05.200 Or if you would visit the Israelites. 28 00:02:06.400 --> 00:02:10.600 on the first morning that they discovered mana on the ground or 29 00:02:10.600 --> 00:02:13.000 perhaps if you could visit Nebuchadnezzar 30 00:02:13.900 --> 00:02:17.800 at that moment when Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego walked out of the 31 00:02:17.800 --> 00:02:18.600 fiery furnace. 32 00:02:19.900 --> 00:02:24.500 I think you might hear people tell you about something unprecedented. 33 00:02:27.700 --> 00:02:34.800 Well, I don't really want to debate about whether this coronavirus is 34 00:02:34.800 --> 00:02:40.300 unprecedented or not, but I can pretty much guarantee you that 35 00:02:40.300 --> 00:02:44.600 something unprecedented will come along next year. 36 00:02:46.100 --> 00:02:53.800 And the year after that if there is one thing in life it is that can 37 00:02:53.800 --> 00:02:57.500 be depended on it is that things are always changing. 38 00:02:59.700 --> 00:03:00.800 A couple of months ago. 39 00:03:00.800 --> 00:03:05.500 I was in the process of moving from St. 40 00:03:05.500 --> 00:03:09.600 Louis to Minnesota a huge change for us. 41 00:03:09.600 --> 00:03:13.300 We lived here for 22 years now 42 00:03:13.300 --> 00:03:15.100 we were going to live in, Minnesota. 43 00:03:16.700 --> 00:03:22.800 Then just two or three days after I had moved I was asked to serve as 44 00:03:22.800 --> 00:03:26.600 interim president here at Concordia Seminary in St. 45 00:03:26.600 --> 00:03:26.700 Louis. 46 00:03:26.700 --> 00:03:27.100 So 47 00:03:28.500 --> 00:03:29.500 from Minnesota 48 00:03:30.300 --> 00:03:31.300 back to St. 49 00:03:31.300 --> 00:03:32.900 Louis and to this campus 50 00:03:34.000 --> 00:03:36.400 another huge change. 51 00:03:38.000 --> 00:03:40.500 Change is constant. 52 00:03:42.200 --> 00:03:44.900 It is not unprecedented. 53 00:03:44.900 --> 00:03:48.000 It is absolutely predictable. 54 00:03:49.500 --> 00:03:53.300 The stock market will not go up forever. 55 00:03:54.700 --> 00:04:01.000 The New England Patriots will not win the Super Bowl every year. The 56 00:04:01.000 --> 00:04:04.700 unbearable heat and humidity of St. 57 00:04:04.700 --> 00:04:07.800 Louis will eventually change, 58 00:04:08.700 --> 00:04:10.300 for the better I might add. 59 00:04:11.600 --> 00:04:13.200 When you grow old. 60 00:04:14.000 --> 00:04:20.000 You will develop ailments that you never had before. Your body 61 00:04:21.500 --> 00:04:26.400 will change and your grandchildren will grow up and they'll get 62 00:04:26.400 --> 00:04:31.100 married and they'll have children of their own and the composition of 63 00:04:31.100 --> 00:04:32.900 your family will change. 64 00:04:34.500 --> 00:04:35.900 Nations will fall. 65 00:04:37.700 --> 00:04:41.700 Leaders will die, people will get fired. 66 00:04:42.900 --> 00:04:45.300 Marriages will be wrecked. 67 00:04:47.100 --> 00:04:50.000 And we will have a new president of our country 68 00:04:52.100 --> 00:04:53.200 in 2 months 69 00:04:54.600 --> 00:05:02.400 or in four years. If there is one thing in this world that never 70 00:05:02.400 --> 00:05:06.100 changes it is that things are always changing. 71 00:05:06.100 --> 00:05:08.300 Good night. 72 00:05:08.300 --> 00:05:14.600 I moved into 3 Seminary Terrace and I had no sooner arrived there. 73 00:05:14.600 --> 00:05:17.100 Then I was informed the address had changed. 74 00:05:19.300 --> 00:05:20.500 Change is inevitable. 75 00:05:22.100 --> 00:05:23.400 It's constant. 76 00:05:23.400 --> 00:05:27.700 It's all around us but one thing never changes. 77 00:05:29.800 --> 00:05:32.200 Jesus Christ is the same. 78 00:05:33.100 --> 00:05:37.200 Yesterday and today and forever. 79 00:05:37.200 --> 00:05:42.000 Jesus does not change. 80 00:05:44.100 --> 00:05:45.100 What does that mean? 81 00:05:47.400 --> 00:05:52.100 First of all, this statement can certainly be seen as an affirmation 82 00:05:52.100 --> 00:05:53.800 of Jesus deity. 83 00:05:54.900 --> 00:05:56.300 It tells us who he is. 84 00:05:58.200 --> 00:06:03.600 In Malachi, 3:6 God says for I the Lord and not change. 85 00:06:04.900 --> 00:06:09.700 In James, 1:17 James says about the Father of lights that in him 86 00:06:09.700 --> 00:06:14.000 there is no variation or shadow due to change. 87 00:06:15.500 --> 00:06:19.700 Thus when the writer to the Hebrews says about Jesus that he is the 88 00:06:19.700 --> 00:06:22.600 same yesterday and today and forever. 89 00:06:24.600 --> 00:06:27.900 This is to declare that Jesus is one with the father. 90 00:06:29.900 --> 00:06:31.600 That Jesus is God. 91 00:06:32.800 --> 00:06:38.300 Heaven and Earth will pass away Jesus says but my words will not pass 92 00:06:38.300 --> 00:06:38.600 away. 93 00:06:38.600 --> 00:06:40.800 They do not change. 94 00:06:40.800 --> 00:06:47.600 He is the same yesterday and today and forever. Earlier in the book to 95 00:06:47.600 --> 00:06:48.400 the Hebrews 96 00:06:48.400 --> 00:06:51.700 we read these words about the Son. 97 00:06:52.900 --> 00:06:58.500 You Lord laid the foundation of the Earth in the beginning and the 98 00:06:58.500 --> 00:07:00.300 heavens are the work of your hands. 99 00:07:00.300 --> 00:07:01.500 They will perish. 100 00:07:02.800 --> 00:07:06.400 But you remain you are the same. 101 00:07:07.500 --> 00:07:10.600 And your years will have no end. 102 00:07:12.500 --> 00:07:15.200 Jesus is the creator. 103 00:07:16.500 --> 00:07:17.200 Jesus 104 00:07:18.200 --> 00:07:19.100 is God. 105 00:07:21.800 --> 00:07:23.300 But we need to know more 106 00:07:25.000 --> 00:07:30.700 then just who Jesus is, we need to know also who he is for us. 107 00:07:32.500 --> 00:07:36.500 Because there is something else that never changes and that is the 108 00:07:36.500 --> 00:07:37.300 human condition. 109 00:07:39.300 --> 00:07:44.600 There may be advances in the medical field, in technology, in space 110 00:07:44.600 --> 00:07:50.300 exploration and in many other areas of human study, but there are no 111 00:07:50.300 --> 00:07:51.200 advances 112 00:07:52.600 --> 00:07:56.500 in the standing of the human being before God. 113 00:07:57.800 --> 00:08:01.600 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity. 114 00:08:02.900 --> 00:08:06.000 And in sin did my mother conceive me. 115 00:08:07.200 --> 00:08:07.900 That's you. 116 00:08:09.300 --> 00:08:10.100 That's me. 117 00:08:11.500 --> 00:08:12.900 That's everybody. 118 00:08:14.400 --> 00:08:19.400 And you in particular who are listening this day to the Word of God. 119 00:08:20.900 --> 00:08:23.700 You are certainly no exception 120 00:08:25.800 --> 00:08:26.700 and you know that. 121 00:08:28.100 --> 00:08:29.900 We need help 122 00:08:31.200 --> 00:08:32.200 everyone of us 123 00:08:33.299 --> 00:08:39.200 and to know that Jesus is God is not particularly helpful. 124 00:08:39.200 --> 00:08:43.400 If we do not know that he is God for me. 125 00:08:46.000 --> 00:08:52.000 As we begin a new Academic Year and commit ourselves to teaching and 126 00:08:52.000 --> 00:08:52.100 learning. 127 00:08:53.400 --> 00:08:55.000 That we may teach others. 128 00:08:55.000 --> 00:09:02.100 We need to know that there is a point to all of this study. And there 129 00:09:02.100 --> 00:09:03.200 is no point 130 00:09:04.500 --> 00:09:10.500 to all of this study unless we know that Jesus is the same for Abraham, 131 00:09:10.500 --> 00:09:18.000 for Moses, for Peter, for Mary, for Luther, for Walther, for you and for me. 132 00:09:19.300 --> 00:09:25.600 And this is the precise point that our text is making, he is. 133 00:09:27.700 --> 00:09:29.400 He is the same for us 134 00:09:30.600 --> 00:09:32.100 as he was for them. 135 00:09:33.200 --> 00:09:35.500 And as he will be for all 136 00:09:36.700 --> 00:09:37.400 forever. 137 00:09:38.900 --> 00:09:43.400 And so we move from the topic of who Jesus is to the topic of what he 138 00:09:43.400 --> 00:09:50.900 has done because it is in his doing that we discover who he is for us. 139 00:09:52.300 --> 00:09:57.200 In the first chapter of this letter to the Hebrews, we're told that 140 00:09:57.200 --> 00:10:05.000 Jesus made purification for sins. In the second chapter were told that 141 00:10:05.000 --> 00:10:08.300 he took on flesh and blood that through death 142 00:10:08.300 --> 00:10:11.100 he might destroy the one who has the power of death. 143 00:10:11.100 --> 00:10:12.300 That is the devil. 144 00:10:13.400 --> 00:10:18.200 In this same chapter, we read that he had to be made like his brothers 145 00:10:18.200 --> 00:10:23.600 in every respect to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 146 00:10:25.300 --> 00:10:29.800 In the fourth chapter, we read that we do not have a high priest who 147 00:10:29.800 --> 00:10:34.200 is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every 148 00:10:34.200 --> 00:10:36.800 respect has been tempted as we are. 149 00:10:37.800 --> 00:10:38.900 Yet without sin. 150 00:10:40.200 --> 00:10:45.200 In the fifth chapter, we learn that he was a son who learned obedience 151 00:10:45.200 --> 00:10:49.300 through what he suffered and that he was made perfect and became the 152 00:10:49.300 --> 00:10:52.100 source of Eternal salvation. 153 00:10:53.800 --> 00:10:59.100 In the 7th chapter, we read that he was a high priest who was wholly, 154 00:10:59.100 --> 00:11:05.500 innocent, unstained separated from sinners and exalted above the 155 00:11:05.500 --> 00:11:10.400 heavens who offered himself up once for all and for that reason he is 156 00:11:10.400 --> 00:11:16.400 able to save us as he always lives to make intercession for us. 157 00:11:16.400 --> 00:11:24.000 And so it goes throughout the entire book of Hebrews. As the writer 158 00:11:24.000 --> 00:11:30.100 paints for us a magnificent picture of what our savior Jesus has done 159 00:11:30.100 --> 00:11:30.700 for us. 160 00:11:31.800 --> 00:11:33.500 The Mighty God himself 161 00:11:34.800 --> 00:11:41.600 took on flesh and blood lived a perfect life for us was tempted for us 162 00:11:41.600 --> 00:11:49.600 offered himself up and was sacrificed for us died for us in order to 163 00:11:49.600 --> 00:11:52.300 atone for us for all our sins. 164 00:11:52.300 --> 00:11:56.000 And now he intercedes for us at the Throne of the Father in Heaven. 165 00:11:56.000 --> 00:11:59.100 Yes after all he has done. 166 00:12:00.400 --> 00:12:03.400 He intercedes for us forever. 167 00:12:05.600 --> 00:12:08.100 And so it is that in his doing. 168 00:12:09.300 --> 00:12:12.200 We discover who Jesus is for us. 169 00:12:13.600 --> 00:12:17.800 And this is the message that leads us into the new Academic Year. 170 00:12:17.800 --> 00:12:20.400 It's a powerful message. 171 00:12:20.400 --> 00:12:23.600 It is a magnificent message. 172 00:12:24.800 --> 00:12:27.500 But it is not a new message. 173 00:12:29.500 --> 00:12:33.100 You see this Jesus Christ is the same 174 00:12:34.500 --> 00:12:37.900 yesterday and today and forever. 175 00:12:39.100 --> 00:12:43.400 The faith that lives in you and me is the same faith that lived in 176 00:12:43.400 --> 00:12:48.200 Abraham and Moses and it is the same faith that will live in our 177 00:12:48.200 --> 00:12:52.500 grandchildren and our great-grandchildren and in the hearts of every 178 00:12:52.500 --> 00:12:57.400 believer that will follow us until the day Jesus comes to judge the 179 00:12:57.400 --> 00:13:03.600 living and the dead because Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and 180 00:13:03.600 --> 00:13:04.800 today and forever. 181 00:13:06.100 --> 00:13:08.500 The nature of faith doesn't change. 182 00:13:09.600 --> 00:13:16.100 The way of Salvation doesn't change. The object of Hope doesn't change. 183 00:13:16.100 --> 00:13:18.500 Jesus is the same 184 00:13:19.300 --> 00:13:22.000 yesterday and today and forever. 185 00:13:24.800 --> 00:13:31.300 Can you try to put yourself for a moment into the mind of the writer 186 00:13:31.300 --> 00:13:32.200 to the Hebrews? 187 00:13:33.500 --> 00:13:38.800 Try to put yourself into his mind and think a moment from his 188 00:13:38.800 --> 00:13:41.700 perspective in history. 189 00:13:43.600 --> 00:13:47.100 From his perspective yesterday 190 00:13:48.500 --> 00:13:52.200 may very well be a reference to the time of the Old Testament. 191 00:13:54.300 --> 00:13:58.800 Today is probably a reference to his own day. 192 00:13:59.900 --> 00:14:04.100 About 30 years or so after Jesus Ascension and the word forever. 193 00:14:05.300 --> 00:14:08.200 That's a reference to our day 194 00:14:09.300 --> 00:14:10.700 and to the last day 195 00:14:11.800 --> 00:14:13.800 and to the Eternal day to come. 196 00:14:15.700 --> 00:14:18.900 Yesterday and today and forever 197 00:14:20.500 --> 00:14:27.000 these words place Jesus at the beginning of time and follow him into 198 00:14:27.000 --> 00:14:33.200 eternity. And they establish the Gospel as the unchanging proclamation 199 00:14:33.200 --> 00:14:34.200 of salvation. 200 00:14:35.400 --> 00:14:37.800 Yesterday and today and forever 201 00:14:39.100 --> 00:14:44.500 these words point to Jesus his person and his work is work for us. 202 00:14:45.400 --> 00:14:50.500 A work that produces forgiveness and life and salvation. 203 00:14:52.300 --> 00:14:56.300 And so it is that as we begin another Academic Year 204 00:14:57.500 --> 00:14:59.000 we Proclaim nothing new. 205 00:15:00.600 --> 00:15:06.400 Rather we build on the foundation that has already been built. We build 206 00:15:06.400 --> 00:15:12.400 on the same Rock the same savior as those who have gone before us and 207 00:15:12.400 --> 00:15:13.900 those who are still to come. 208 00:15:15.100 --> 00:15:16.800 They will not need to adjust 209 00:15:18.000 --> 00:15:23.800 to a new Gospel or a new understanding of Jesus. No, the church 210 00:15:23.800 --> 00:15:31.600 trusting in the promises of God about salvation and Jesus is also the 211 00:15:31.600 --> 00:15:31.800 same 212 00:15:33.100 --> 00:15:36.700 yesterday and today and forever. 213 00:15:39.400 --> 00:15:42.000 So a new academic year begins. 214 00:15:44.200 --> 00:15:46.300 How are you feeling? 215 00:15:49.000 --> 00:15:53.800 You who are first-year students are beginning a pretty important time 216 00:15:53.800 --> 00:15:54.400 in your life. 217 00:15:54.400 --> 00:15:55.700 A momentous time 218 00:15:55.700 --> 00:16:03.200 we could say. A time during which you are going to be formed as pastors 219 00:16:03.200 --> 00:16:06.400 or deaconesses, teachers, missionaries. 220 00:16:07.300 --> 00:16:12.200 It would not be surprising if you were just a little apprehensive. 221 00:16:14.100 --> 00:16:20.300 Or if you think about these Corona times in which we live you might 222 00:16:20.300 --> 00:16:23.800 wonder how you're going to navigate the troubled waters ahead. 223 00:16:25.800 --> 00:16:28.100 Some of you may have financial difficulties. 224 00:16:29.800 --> 00:16:32.600 With some there may be trouble in the marriage. 225 00:16:34.200 --> 00:16:37.600 There could be financial troubles or 226 00:16:38.500 --> 00:16:39.600 a dying parent. 227 00:16:41.400 --> 00:16:48.200 The world in which we live is often called of vale of tears so much 228 00:16:48.200 --> 00:16:51.400 hardship so many troubles. 229 00:16:52.800 --> 00:16:53.500 But you know what? 230 00:16:54.900 --> 00:16:57.800 We have something unprecedented. 231 00:16:59.600 --> 00:17:05.200 Something that has never been found in any of the other religions of 232 00:17:05.200 --> 00:17:05.900 this world. 233 00:17:07.200 --> 00:17:11.200 Something that the philosophies of this world throughout all history 234 00:17:11.200 --> 00:17:15.000 have not even come close to producing. 235 00:17:17.099 --> 00:17:18.800 We have Jesus. 236 00:17:20.300 --> 00:17:21.400 Who is the same 237 00:17:22.400 --> 00:17:25.099 yesterday and today and forever. 238 00:17:26.700 --> 00:17:28.000 And so we confess 239 00:17:29.700 --> 00:17:33.300 in thine arms I rest me. 240 00:17:35.000 --> 00:17:37.900 Those who would molest me cannot reach me here. 241 00:17:39.400 --> 00:17:43.500 Though the Earth be shaking every heart be quaking. 242 00:17:44.600 --> 00:17:52.100 Jesus calms my fear. Lightnings flash and thunders crash yet tho sin 243 00:17:52.100 --> 00:17:54.000 and hell assail me. 244 00:17:55.400 --> 00:17:59.700 Jesus will not fail me. 245 00:18:01.500 --> 00:18:02.100 Amen. 246 00:18:03.700 --> 00:18:07.300 Now May the peace of God which surpasses all understanding keep your 247 00:18:07.300 --> 00:18:11.700 hearts and Minds through faith in Christ Jesus until life Everlasting. 248 00:18:13.100 --> 00:18:13.700 Amen.