Heb 3:1-6 Fixated on Jesus

Hebrews 3:1–6 ESV

1 Therefore, 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.

When we are driving, we need to keep our eyes on the road. It is very dangerous to drive and text or check emails, because our eyes are not on the road. If you text while driving there is a 400% increase in the amount of time with eyes off the road.

The National Safety Council (NSC) reports that cell phone use while driving leads to 1.6 million crashes every year in the US. Furthermore, statistics show that distracted driving causes nearly nine deaths per day.

If you are driving and catch yourself not paying attention at all while you are driving, you don’t just give up and pull your phone and start texting a friend, hey I just realized that I am not paying attention while driving…

In the same way, as we are working to be obsessed with Jesus each day, keeping our eyes on Him, as we drive through this life. When we catch ourselves with our eyes not on Him, we need to just turn to Him again. Like driving, we can get distracted very easily, but then we need to fix our eyes back on the road over and over.

As we keep doing each day, soon it will come as second nature to us and we will do it without thinking, we will be asking for His help more and more often and share with Him the funny things we think or encounter.

Last week we looked only at the commandment in v1 that we should consider Jesus, that we should be obsessed with Jesus, and we should live our lives with our eyes fixed on Him. Today we will study the first six verses of chapter 3, where the author gives the reasons why we should consider Jesus, and how much greater Jesus is when compared to Moses.

Let’s start in v1.

Hebrews 3:1 ESV

1 Therefore, holy brothers, you who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession,

Why should we be obsessed with Jesus? Well, you likely noticed this verse started with “therefore”. Our answer is found in the previous verses, where God was telling us that Jesus was made like us in order to be the perfect merciful and faithful High Priest, and here in v1 we learn that Jesus is the apostle and high priest of our confession.

Before we go much further in the description of Jesus, notice that this verse first tells us who we are, it describes our identity. It is only after this description that the author gives us the commandment that we studied last week. Often in the NT letters we see this pattern of first telling us who we are in Christ and then it gives us the commandment, the author calls us to act because of who we are.

This is highly important because God is not calling us to do something in order for us to be changed. God already did the work of changing us, giving us a new identity, a new heart, and a new love for Him and His word. Then He calls us to act based on what He already did in us. Therefore, in everything that we do we cannot boast, because God changed us first, He is the one that transformed us, and gave us the ability and strength, and the help to do. Therefore, all our work we can only bow down to His throne, put our crowns down and say it is nothing I have done, it is all your work in us that made this possible. God will do amazing things through us, and despite of us. The more we grow in our Christian walk the more we will recognize how much is of God’s grace on us.

So who are we according to this verse? We are holy brothers and sisters, who share in a heavenly calling.

We are worthy to Jesus to help us because we are brothers and sisters of Christ, we are sons and daughters of God. We are holy brothers and sisters; we share the heavenly calling.

When we are called holy it indicates our position before God, we are separated from the world, having been chosen and set apart by God through Jesus. When God sees us, He sees us covered by the blood of Jesus, clean and righteous because of Jesus.

V1 also describes the followers of Christ as “you who share the heavenly calling”. This describes us, believers, as having something in common with one another, we have been called by God. The focus is the blessing and the privilege of being called by God, we are holy because God set us apart. There is no reason for boasting, it is all God’s work in us, He saved us, He redeemed us and we have the privilege of being redeemed by His blood for His glory alone.

We need to be obsessed with Jesus because we are holy and we are called by God. We have the privilege of being adopted sons and daughters of God. We don’t belong to this world we are aliens, strangers, we are sojourners, our citizenship is a heavenly one, and we belong to the kingdom of God. Because we belong to Jesus we need to be obsessed with Him. I am His and He is mine.

In this section, the author compares Jesus to Moses, because they were in danger of following Moses instead of Jesus. However, the commandment the author gives is not to consider how lower Moses is to Jesus, the commandment is to fix our eyes on Jesus. Because that is what will give us life and help us fight anything that comes our way. It is only when we have our eyes on the road that we can see what is coming and avoid any danger.

Since we need to fix our thoughts on Jesus the author goes on to describe Jesus. Because He is the one that we need to set our minds on. In the previous verses, the author was telling us that Jesus was made like us in order to be the perfect merciful and faithful high priest. And in case you missed it, this description is slightly different now in v1, the author adds Jesus as the apostle and high priest of our confession.

Here is the only place in the NT that refers to Jesus as an apostle. There are a few possibilities as to why; it is likely that is referring to Jesus’ role as the one sent to proclaim God’s name.

We saw something similar in Heb 2:12 when the author stated that Jesus is the ultimate messenger of God, and again in Heb 1:2 that God has spoken through Him in these last days. In all these instances the author indicates that Jesus was sent by God to speak for God and to represent God to mankind. Furthermore, in this section, Jesus is compared to Moses, so it is possible that the author is making a reference to the fact that Jesus is God’s messenger like Moses was.

This comparison between Moses and Jesus starts in v2, where it says:

Hebrews 3:2 ESV

2 who was faithful to him who appointed him, just as Moses also was faithful in all God’s house.

I don’t know about you, but when I first read v2 I got really confused with the “who and him” so let me read this verse by identifying these two “who’s and him’s”

2 Jesus was faithful to the Father, God the Father appointed Jesus, just as Moses also was faithful in all God’s house.

Here the author of Hebrews starts to compare Jesus to Moses. This comparison is summarized by Allen in “three points: (1) Moses was a servant; Jesus is the Son; (2) Moses was a part of the house; Jesus is over the house; and (3) Moses testified of what was coming; Jesus fulfilled the testimony.”

But, why in the world is the author now comparing Jesus with Moses? If we remember that the audience of this letter were Jews, we will remember that Moses had a great place of honor and respect. Actually, it is believed that some Jews in the first century held that Moses was superior even to angels, they saw Moses not only as the law-giver but also as a high priest.

Remembering that the first-century readers were tempted to abandon Christianity and go back to Judaism, it was highly important to compare Jesus to Moses, because in a sense they were tempted to leave Jesus to follow Moses.

In this comparison, the author could have pointed out the failures of Moses, but instead, he shows how Jesus’ glory is greater than Moses.

As we can see v2 it only says that Jesus was faithful to God just as Moses also was faithful. Considering that Moses was not perfect, he killed a man before he fled Egypt, even in his service to God Moses did not enter the promised land because he hit the rock when God told him to speak to the rock. But here v2 of Hebrews the author is saying that Moses also was faithful. The main reference here is to the message that Moses and Jesus spoke, they both spoke God’s word, and both the OT and NT are God’s word. In this sense, Moses was faithful in the same way Jesus was faithful in proclaiming faithfully what God has said.

In the end, we will hear these words from Jesus, well done good and faithful servant. He will say this to you and to me, even though we are far from being perfect in our obedience. Jesus’ blood already had covered us completely, Jesus not only took all our sin on the cross. He gave us His righteousness, that’s no little thing, we were given the perfect righteousness of the Son of God. Because of what God has done for us, we can strive daily to be obedient, even when we don’t like it or feel like doing what God calls us to do. Praise be to God that we have such a savior. Jesus is amazing, His work for us, His love for us while we were still sinners. It is our joy to fix our eyes on Jesus.

As the author continues to think of Jesus, he compares Jesus to Moses.

It is from v 3 through 6 that the author makes the case that Jesus is greater than Moses because Moses was a part of the house; Jesus is over the house; Moses testified of what was coming; Jesus fulfilled the testimony, and Moses was a servant; while Jesus is the Son.

Hebrews 3:3–4 ESV

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.)

Here is when the author starts to make the case that Jesus is greater than Moses. This verse starts with the word “for” which is pointing back to the commandment to fix our thoughts on Jesus, for Jesus is worthy of more glory and honor than Moses. Therefore we need to be fixated on Jesus, because there is no one greater than He.

Then to help us understand how much greater Jesus is compared to Moses, the author gives us an analogy of a builder and a house. Here he is saying that the one who builds a house is greater than the house itself.

Another analogy might be the following: the glory of creation is nothing compared to the glory of the one who created it all. Creation is amazing and should cause us to be in awe of the creator and not of creation itself. Moses is part of creation, while Jesus is the creator. As the creator, he is worthy of much greater honor and glory when compared to creation.

Just a side note, isn’t it incredible that sin, the world, and the devil cause people to worship creation rather than the creator?

The very thing that points to God is what people will worship. From ancient times we see the worship of creation as gods. Furthermore, we are tempted to fear man rather than the creator, or to fear nature over the creator. We are also tempted to place a higher priority on the peace and prosperity of our country rather than the advancement of the Kingdom of God.

So back to the analogy of builder and house in the letter of Hebrews. The idea of creation is inferred in v4, where it says “(For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God.) Some translations have the parenthesis in this verse, the only reason for this is to indicate that v4 is a clarification of the analogy in v3. However, adding parenthesis to this verse brings a lot of confusion, therefore many translations don’t have this parenthesis in v4. This verse is saying that no matter what men have done, God is the creator, and no one is above Him, no one will receive the glory and honor that only God is worthy to receive.

By the way, what was Moses’ glory? Because he was in God’s presence and talking with God in the mountain, when he came down his face was shining, reflecting the glory of God. Moses’ glory was to be called by God as a faithful servant. But Jesus’ glory is the glory of God, the glory of the second person of the Trinity. Moses’ glory faded when He was not in God’s presence. Jesus’ glory will never fade, because Jesus is not reflecting, He is radiating God’s glory.

In these two verses, the author makes the case that Jesus is greater than Moses because Moses was a part of the house; Jesus is over the house. Therefore, we need to be fixated on Jesus, who is far superior to anyone or anything in all creation.

Then in v 5 and 6, the author gives us two more reasons as to why Jesus is greater than Moses. First, Moses testified of what was coming; Jesus fulfilled the testimony; Secondly, Moses was a servant, and Jesus is the Son.

Hebrews 3:5–6 ESV

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.

V5 starts with a reference to Numbers 12:7 “my servant Moses. He is faithful in all my house” There is a repetition of this phrase in Hebrews 3:2 where it says “Moses also was faithful in all God’s house”. This is indicating that Moses’ faithfulness was in relation to his role as a servant. Yes, no one spoke with God like Moses, face to face, but he was a servant, which in itself is a great honor and glory to be God’s servant. However, that’s nothing compared to the glory and honor that Christ has as the Son of God.

Remember being a servant is a great honor and privilege. It means you will be protected by your master; He will also provide take care of all your needs. Remember Jesus not only protects us, but He destroyed death and has already appointed a day when the enemy will be completely destroyed. Jesus is preparing a place for us in heaven, He will clothe us with righteousness and we will be given the fruit of the tree of life. It is a great honor and privileged to be God’s servant.

The verse continues by saying “to testify to the things that were to be spoken later” here is saying that Moses’ faithfulness as a servant was to speak of things that God was going to speak in the future. Meaning Moses testify to the gospel that Jesus later proclaimed.

We might say, wait a minute…. Hold your horses… I don’t remember Moses saying anything about the gospel at all.

All the OT points to Jesus, all the ceremonial laws point to our need for a redeemer, and all the sacrifices point to the need for a greater sacrifice, that in order to redeem sinners blood needed to be shed by the perfect lamb of God.

In fact, Jesus himself explains this to the 2 disciples after the Resurrection on the road to Emmaus, Luke 24:27 “And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself”

V 6 then starts talking about the lamb of God, the Christ. Previously the author of Hebrews refers directly to Jesus’ name, here he uses Jesus’ title “Christ” as a reference to Jesus. This title “Christ” as you well know means Messiah, the anointed one, the one God was going to send. In a sense, Moses’ ministry, the OT was pointing to the coming of Christ. Christ has come, and He is faithful over God’s house as a son.

Remember that to the Israelites, Moses was the greatest person who had ever lived, God delivered Israel from Egypt through Moses, God spoke face to face with Moses, and God gave the law through Moses. As we indicated to some Moses was considered even greater than angels and they saw Moses not only as the law-giver but also as a high priest. It was through Moses that God freed Israel from slavery. God sent Moses to rescue, but God was going to send the anointed one to rescue from death and eternal separation from God.

Moses was faithful in all of God’s house as a servant. However, Jesus is faithful over God’s house as a son. I want you to notice a slight difference in these descriptions Moses was faithful in all of God’s house, Jesus is faithful over God’s house. The difference between in and over indicates that Moses was part of the house, while Jesus is over, He is above, outside the house. He exists without the need of the house. Jesus is the builder of the house as a son as the creator, as the head of the house.

As a Son, Jesus is worthy of much greater honor and glory, just as the creator is much greater than creation.

Then the author concludes this section with a warning “and we are his house, if indeed we hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope”

Remember that v5 started quoting Numbers 12, the context of that passage was when God was rebuking Miriam and Aaron because they spoke against Moses. Then after God tells Miriam and Aaron that Moses was a faithful servant, God gives them a warning saying: “Why then were you not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?”

Now here in Hebrews, after the author explains clearly that Jesus is greater than Moses, that Jesus is the faithful son, who is over God’s house, he gives us a warning like God did in Numbers 12. God punished those that didn’t listen to Moses, what will happen if we do not hold fast to Jesus? What will happen if we don’t live obsessed with Jesus?

We don’t face the same situation as the first-century readers who were tempted to abandon Jesus for Moses. We are not tempted to think that Moses or angels are greater than Jesus. We are not tempted to save our lives by putting Jesus to the side.

However, we feel the pressure of not talking about Jesus when we are given the opportunity. We feel the peer pressure of people looking down on us because we mention Jesus. We feel the temptation of not saying anything when we are in public and someone makes a bad comment about Christianity or Christians. We are tempted to get isolated in our own little bubbles and just get comfortable and let others do the work of reaching out.

Furthermore, we are tempted to water down Scripture for the sake of the world’s approval or societal pressure. Look at how many churches have women as pastors, or those that are officiating homosexual weddings, or those that are ordaining homosexual ministers. There is a difference between loving people and calling sin a sin. We cannot just point the finger without looking at ourselves. Let’s be honest, when we see something in Scripture that goes against what we are doing or thinking, before we repent, we are tempted to find ways to explain the verse saying that that’s not really what God says.

Remember last week we were talking about being obsessed with Jesus? That we should invite Him each day, and ask for His help all the time. Jesus is not only able to help, He helps us, but He wants to be with us each day. He longs to share the day with us, like a baby crying for her mamma. That we need to be like that baby crying asking for Jesus to spend the day with us. But there is one step further we need to go.

Many schools started this week, at Byron’s school there was a boy going to pre-k for the first time, and this little boy was not just crying because he didn’t want to leave his mamma, he had his whole body holding her, his hands were holding her, he was grabbing her like eagle claws, his legs were holding her, his whole being was holding her.

We want to be like this little boy holding on tight to Jesus, holding on to Jesus.

We need to search our hearts and see if there is anything that we might practically be placing a higher priority in our lives than Jesus.

We all know that this life is not easy, and it takes a lot of effort and energy just to somedays survive. But in all of our business and stresses, are we leaving Jesus behind? Or are we holding on to Him, like this little boy, saying Jesus I can’t go without you, I’m not going anywhere if you don’t go with me, Lord.