Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

‘Every pastor is an interim pastor.’ The truth of this statement dawned on me more fully and clearly as I came towards the end of my ministry in a church I had served for over 30 years.

It seems to me that a contrast is drawn in these verses, between leaders who have gone (maybe taken away by imprisonment or death?) and the Lord who never leaves; between those who are temporary and the One who is permanent. He cannot be stolen from them, nor will He abandon. He in fact, is the God who never ‘leaves’ or ‘forsakes'(5). Although the church may have many honourable leaders (and verse 7 seems to refer to such), ultimately there is only one ”Leader” we truly need. He works through people, but He’s the only One who is indispensable.