September 21, 2023 -- Hebrews 3:1-3 -- Jesus is better -- surpassing Moses in faithfulness

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Therefore, holy brothers, you who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession, who was faithful to him who appointed him, just as Moses was also faithful in all God’s house. 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.
Hebrews 3:1-3 ESV

Other translations put the command this way: “fix your eyes on Jesus”. Paul was writing to people who were formerly Jews and now Christians. Some of the member of this audience were slipping back into Jewish practices, rather than staying fixed on Jesus. In Hebrews 1 Jesus is proved to be better than angels—as some of the audience had become fixated on angels and their spirituality was bound up in all things angelic instead of focused on Jesus, Who created angels and before Whom angels bow.

In Hebrews 2 there is a sharp warning not to drift from the faith. Unless Christians are actively engaged in attending worship, hearing sermons, learning more about Jesus, genuinely being fixed on Him, Christians will drift away into other things and their faith will grow cold.

Now Paul is addressing his readers on another point of contention—the sharp focus on Moses, as if might be of greater consequence than Jesus. Some of the Jewish readership was returning to Moses. While Moses is called “faithful” (verse 2) Jesus eclipses Moses because Jesus is the Apostle and High Priest. Jesus is sent by God to lead men to the Father and Jesus is the One Who represents humanity to Father. He is the Great Apostle, the only One Who can go from heaven to earth and then represent earth to heaven. Second, He is the High Priest. Jesus was the Lamb of God Who by His blood once for all takes away the sin of the world. And Jesus is the intercessor for sinners Who opens the way for believers to come to the Father.

All of Moses’ ministry pointed to one greater than himself, to Jesus. This is the point Jesus makes in John 5:46-47. If you believed in Moses, then you would believe in Jesus because Moses wrote about Jesus.

What is distracting you from keeping your eyes fixed on Jesus? Is it seeking some kind of prophetic message or word? Stay focused on Jesus and read the Bible. Is it hoping that there will be a new temple in Jerusalem? Jesus now lives in believers by His Holy Spirit—we are the temple of God. Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus.

Our Father in heaven hallowed be Your Name. How great and glorious is the salvation You have given us in Jesus Christ! By Your Spirit and the Spirit’s illuminating work through the pages of the Scriptures, help us to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus. Amen.

https://youtu.be/ZiEqKpN90W4?si=O0leDrCVyKuvXg6S Casting Crowns ‘Tis so Sweet to True in Jesus

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