City Life Starter

By Megan Meier

The Word

“1Therefore, holy brothers, you who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession, 2 who was faithful to him who appointed him, just as Moses also was faithful in all God’s house. 3 For Jesus has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses—as much more glory as the builder of a house has more honor than the house itself. 4 (For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God.) 5 Now Moses was faithful in all God’s house as a servant, to testify to the things that were to be spoken later, 6 but Christ is faithful over God’s house as a son. And we are his house, if indeed we hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope.”

Hebrews 3:1-6 ESV

Reflection

The author of Hebrews calls his audience, who are Messianic Jews, three things: holy, family (multiple versions including NIV, NLT, and TPT add “sisters”), and sharing in a great inheritance. Those who have accepted Jesus Christ have been made holy by his Sacrifice, are part of a heavenly family, and share in the inheritance of Heaven and its treasures. To consider Jesus means to focus your thoughts on Jesus, to love the Lord with all your mind (Mark 12:30) (Shema series!). Jesus is referred as king, prophet, and priest, but why is Jesus referred to as an apostle? Isn’t that what His followers were called? Yes it is. Apostle means “messenger,” and Jesus was sent by God His Father with a message. Then Jesus sent His apostles to spread the message further. Jesus is also the High Priest in the order of Melchizedek. He lives forever and is able to save those who come to Him (Psalm 110:4, Hebrews 7:24-25). Jesus was faithful to God who had appointed Him, as Moses was appointed.

Why does the author bring up Moses? He turns his case from Jesus > Angels to Jesus > Moses. The Messianic Jews spent their lives studying the Torah (first five books of the Old Testament), which was revealed to Moses. The Jews back then (and now) see Moses as the ultimate hero (but not to be worshipped), and now it is Jesus who is the ultimate Savior who is worthy of worship. I could write all about how Moses and the first Passover point to Jesus and Good Friday, but that’s another devotional for another time, so I’ll limit this to a few comparisons.

Moses, through God, saved the Israelites from slavery to the Egyptians, but he was far from perfect (Exodus 2:11-12, 4:10, 13, Numbers 20:10-12). Jesus saved us from slavery to sin, and He fulfilled the role of Perfect Lamb (John 1:29, Matthew 27:51-53, Mark 15:38-39, 2 Corinthians 5:21). Moses gave God’s message through the Ten Commandments, Jesus gave God’s message not only with His Words, but His Life and Resurrection. Even Moses himself instructed the Israelites to listen to the Messiah (Deuteronomy 18:15).

Moses is part of the house as servant, Jesus is the builder of the house and the Son. The word “servant” in this case comes from the Greek word therapön, which is a person who holds a “position of nobility under the authority of the one who appointed him” (Mohler, 2017). Moses was a leader who was also a servant of God. Moses and all Christ-followers are the house, Jesus Christ is the builder of the house and Son and Heir of God. We are part of his house as well, but there comes a condition. “Wait a minute,” you’d say, “I thought salvation was free?” It is, but along with repentance, true repentance, comes changed behavior. If a person tells you “I’m sorry,” but continues the offending behavior, they were not repentant.

The NLT version interprets verse 6 as “keep our courage and remain confident in our hope in Christ” (NLT) and the TPT says “continue courageously to hold firmly to our bold confidence and our victorious hope.” Being a Christ-follower at that time could have cost a lot more than likes on social media or a promotion, it would been a death sentence. The Messianic Jews, with their thorough knowledge of the first five books of the Old Testament, would have been reminded of what Moses instructed the Israelites when he set Joshua as leader, to be strong and courageous, do not be afraid as the Lord will always be with you (Deuteronomy 30:6, 8).

Application

As Jesus is greater than Moses, and the Messianic Jews were taught from infancy that Moses and his words were great, so Jesus and His words really need to be imprinted in the heart even more. Just as Moses told the Israelites and the author of the letter to the Hebrews told his audience, Jesus also instructed His followers to be courageous, and He gives True Peace (John 14:27, 16:33). Be strong and courageous because the Lord is with You and will give you true peace and hope.   

Prayer

Dear Jesus, thank You for being my Perfect Lamb. Help me to be courageous and embrace the peace that passes all understanding and the hope of heaven. In Your Name I pray, amen.

References

Mohler, R. A. (2017). Hebrews 3:1-6. In Christ-Centered Exposition Exalting Jesus in Hebrews (pp. 45). B&H Publishing Group.