Jesus Christ – The Same (1) The Same who descended and ascended

God does not change. He is perfect and brilliant - and He remains the same forever. This is also true about Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God. In the Epistle to the Hebrews, we are shown His unchanging deity in the first chapter and His unchanging humanity in the last chapter, for it says, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and to the ages to come" (Heb. 13:8).

In the epistle to the Ephesians, Paul makes the remarkable statement, "He who descended is the same who has also ascended up above all heavens that he might fill all things" (Eph. 4:10). The Jesus who showed wonderful compassion towards his creatures here on earth, who showed mercy and grace, and who responded with gentleness and served in humility - this is also the same Jesus we now see at the right hand of God. As it is written, "But we see Jesus ... crowned with glory and honor" (Heb. 2:9).

He is still the man who humbly asked a Samaritan woman for a drink in Sychar. The one who once sat at Jacob's well is now seated at the right hand of the Majesty on high. The One who descended is the same One who ascended. Here on earth He humbled Himself deeply and washed the dirty feet of His disciples; now in glory He is concerned to cleanse us with the water of the Word of God (see Eph 5:27). He led Peter to repentance, after the latter denied Him three times, with a loving, gentle look. Now He is acting as an advocate to make us confess our sins when we have sinned.

J.P.S.