Jesus Christ IS
Hebrews 13:8-14
Emmanuel Christian Church 12.14.2025
INTRODUCTION: As we near the end of our study through the New
Testament book of Hebrews, I think it is important for us to remember this
one simple fact- Jesus is the point behind everything we’ve learned!
Now, that might sound like a “Sunday School” answer to you, but
make no mistake about it- Jesus isn’t simply the point behind the letter to
the Hebrews, Jesus is “ground zero” for absolutely EVERYTHING.
One of my favorite Scriptures about Jesus, nails this very point to the
wall:
Colossians 1:15 (Jesus) is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn
over all creation. 16 For by him all things were created: things in heaven
and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or
authorities; all things were created by him and for him. 17 He is before all
things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the
body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the
dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19 For God was
pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to
reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven,
by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
PROPOSITION: That pretty much sums it up! And it is a great segue to
our text for today which actually begins with the last verse of last week’s
message:
Hebrews 13: 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
Question: “What’s the most important word in that sentence?”
Answer: “The word ‘IS’.”
One little word; a part of speech- a “being” verb actually. Now, just in case
you think this message has turned into a grammar lesson, let me remind
you how IMPORTANT a “being” verb can actually be! Remember Moses’
question to God when he was instructed to go to Pharaoh and demand
the release of the people of Israel?
Exodus 3:13 Moses said to God, “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say
to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me,
‘What is his name?’ Then what shall I tell them?”
Exodus 3:14 God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are
to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’”
“I AM”- there it is AGAIN, another “being” verb! AMAZING! God’s name for
Himself is a “being” verb!
So, let’s go back to the “being” verb in our opening verse for today and
ask the simple question: “Who IS Jesus?”
How would Jesus Himself answer that question? We don’t have to guess!
John 6:48 I am the bread of life.
John 8:12 I am the light of the world.
John 10:7 I am the gate for the sheep.
John 10:11 I am the good shepherd.
John 15:1 I am the true vine.
Everything on this list were things that could be perceived by the senses of
sight and touch. But in one instance, Jesus described Himself in terms
that can only be perceived by the human spirit. In response to a
question by the Apostle Thomas…
John 14:6 Jesus answered, “I AM the way and the truth and the life. No
one comes to the Father except through me.
TRANSITION: In our text for today, two paragraphs speak to the reality of
Jesus who IS the TRUTH and the WAY who… “IS the same yesterday and
today and forever.”
Jesus is the TRUTH
Hebrews 13:9 Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings.
It is good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace, not by ceremonial
foods, which are of no value to those who eat them. 10 We have an altar
from which those who minister at the tabernacle have no right to eat.
- “Jesus IS the TRUTH”, now the connection between that statement and
this paragraph may not be immediately obvious, so let me help you out:
- Remember, Jesus IS the TRUTH- these two verses underscore that
fact by stating the exact opposite. Jesus is NOT the Author of
STRANGE TEACHINGS!
- So, what is a “strange teaching”? Usually, one that is 90% correct
coupled with 10% falsehood. (Mormon “redefinitions”, Modern
“easy believe-ism”)
- Jesus warned about this…
Matthew 16:5 When they went across the lake, the disciples forgot to
take bread. 6 “Be careful,” Jesus said to them. “Be on your guard against
the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”
Matthew 16:7 They discussed this among themselves and said, “It is
because we didn’t bring any bread.”
Matthew 16:8 Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked, “You of little faith,
why are you talking among yourselves about having no bread? 9 Do you
still not understand? Don’t you remember the five loaves for the five
thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? 10 Or the seven
loaves for the four thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? 11
How is it you don’t understand that I was not talking to you about bread?
But be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”
12 Then they understood that he was not telling them to guard against the
yeast used in bread, but against the teaching of the Pharisees and
Sadducees.
APPLICATION: Knowing the Word of God is key to being able to discern
“strange teachings” that “sound good” EXCEPT for that 10% yeast!
- “We have an altar…” The Old Testament priests ate meat from offerings
made on the temple altar. As Christians, we have something far
superior! Jesus said this of Himself in relation to us…
John 6:51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone
eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will
give for the life of the world.”
John 6:52 Then the Jews began to argue sharply among themselves,
“How can this man give us his flesh to eat?”
John 6:53 Jesus said to them, “I tell you the truth, unless you eat the
flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. 54
Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise
him up at the last day. 55 For my flesh is real food and my blood is real
drink. 56 Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I
in him. 57 Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the
Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me. 58 This is the
bread that came down from heaven. Your forefathers ate manna and died,
but he who feeds on this bread will live forever.”
APPLICATION: Jesus IS the TRUTH. Jesus IS the WORD of God that
became flesh. Jesus IS the LIVING, life giving BREAD. Remember when
satan tempted Jesus to turn stones into bread to satisfy His physical
hunger?
Matthew 4:4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread
alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
Jesus is the WAY
Hebrews 13:11 The high priest carries the blood of animals into the Most
Holy Place as a sin offering, but the bodies are burned outside the camp.
12 And so Jesus also suffered outside the city gate to make the people
holy through his own blood. 13 Let us, then, go to him outside the camp,
bearing the disgrace he bore. 14 For here we do not have an enduring
city, but we are looking for the city that is to come.
- Jesus is the WAY. Again, verse 11 illustrates this truth by stating the
exact opposite!
- The High Priest carried the blood offering into the most holy place
only ONCE A YEAR!
- That sacrifice covered ONLY the sins of the people committed in
IGNORANCE.
- How many sins did THAT cover? I would suggest to you- NONE!
- The “way” of the Old Testament sacrificial system ONLY reminded the
people of their sin- it did NOTHING to atone for it!
- BUT, consider verse 12 and the “one and done” sacrifice Jesus made!
- NOW, consider the six opening words of verse 13!
CONCLUSION: As we focus on Jesus this Christmas, God would have us
consider who He really IS. Hear the word of the LORD…
John 14:6 Jesus answered, “I am THE way and THE truth and THE life.
No one comes to the Father except through me. (Jesus IS our ONLY
hope.)
Revelation 1:8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who
is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.” (Jesus came and is
coming AGAIN.)
Jesus IS our only hope. Jesus IS coming again. Let us then, go to Him!
Closing Hymn: “O Come let us Adore Him”
