Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful (He 10:23). Amen.
It happens. All too quickly and all too easily it seems. We lose focus.
We fire up the laptop. We want to get at that special project or that certain paper. But first, a stop at msn.com or espn.com on the internet. Just a headline or two—what’s happening in the world or with my team?
Or we whip out the cell phone. We want to reach out to a close friend or a family member. But after a glance at Facebook or Instagram. Just a photo or two—what is there to look at or comment on?
And all of a sudden minutes can become hours. That’s not only me, is it? It doesn’t take much and we are clicking with a mouse or swiping with a finger. Or it’s something else. You name it. And we find ourselves miles away from where we started—drawn in by the peripheral and drawn away from the plan. It is a wonder with all of these time-saving gadgets that we get anything done.
And then someone brings us back to reality with a “What are you doing?” or “how is it going?” We shoot back a generic, “nothing” or “fine.” The unnamed author of the book of Hebrews does that. He has us give careful attention to Jesus Christ. Just concentrate on him. He is similar to Moses. He is superior to Moses. We read from …
Hebrews 3:1-6
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Jesus Christ, our Savior who speaks to us,
There are critical times when our eyes need to be in the right place.
On our daily commute. Eyes out the front of the windshield (especially when there is a major snowstorm like this past Monday). But there is a ring, ding, or bing on a mobile device in your pocket or purse. Who could it be?
On our weekly worship. Eyes in the front of the church. But someone is restless, helpless, or careless in the seat next to you. What is it now?
It doesn’t take much, does it? And we are not aware of our surroundings.
And there are crucial times when our eyes need to be on the right person.
On your teacher, not on your classmate. What is he doing?
On your Savior, not on yourself. What has he done.
That is where the unknown writer to the Hebrew Christians directs our eyes.
Just Concentrate on Jesus Christ
1. He is similar to Moses (1,2)
2. He is superior to Moses (3-6)
1. He is similar to Moses (1,2)
It probably doesn’t matter. You are sleeping soundly. Someone throws open the shades or turns on a lamp. The light from both of those sources is pretty shocking to your eyes. You have to squint. At first glance, the ones on the receiving end of this epistle could see a likeness between two individuals. But the author centers on the one. Jesus Christ is similar to Moses. But just concentrate on Jesus.
The writer begins by reminding his readers who were enduring some sort of persecution who they were. (And who we are!) “Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling” (He 3:1).
“holy” (He 3:1). They were cleansed from sin and consecrated for service.
“brothers” (He 3:1). And sisters, of course. They belonged to the same family of faith—dear children of a devoted Father (1 Jn 3:1).
“who share in the heavenly calling” (He 3:1). Together they were partners in this invitation from God—summoned to faith. It comes from heaven and it leads to heaven.
“Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess” (He 3:1). He was the One who was to get their careful, constant concentration. Jesus—the One who saves us from our sins (Mt 1:21).
“the apostle” (He 3:1). That might seem a bit strange. There is the apostle Paul. Or the apostle Peter. But the apostle Jesus? It fits him just fine when we recall the meaning behind the word. An “apostle” is one who is “sent out.” He is dispatched on a mission and with a commission from the Father (ex. Mt 10:40; Jn 5:30). There is a purpose for him and power behind him. And there we found Jesus in the synagogue, explaining Scripture. “The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority” (Mk 1:22). He came from God and communicated for God.
“and high priest” (He 3:1). The recipients were extremely familiar with the function of that man from their training. He represented the people before God. He sacrificed animals for people—bulls, goats, and lambs. Jesus offered himself once and for all—body given and blood shed on the cross to pay for our sins.
Based on who they were and who Jesus was the command is in place. “Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess” (He 3:1).
And we join them. In short order, we will profess our faith in our Triune God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Today we use the Apostles’ Creed. When it comes to the second person, we will state the same thing as fellow believers of old and around the globe with such sentiments as that Jesus is God’s Son, our Lord—conceived, born, suffered, died, rose, ascended, sits, and will return (CW p. 41). That is all part of his rescue operation.
And therein lies the comparison to an Old Testament great—Moses. He was certainly a key character from the past. “He [that is, Jesus] was faithful to the one who appointed him, just as Moses was faithful in all God’s house” (He 3:2). To be faithful depicts one who is dependable. That unquestionably describes Moses (Nu 12:7). Faithful.
He went to Pharaoh of Egypt and walked out with the nation of Israel.
He spoke to God face-to-face, whether on top of Mt. Sinai or in the first five books of the Bible.
He led the chosen nation for 40 years through the wilderness up to the Promised Land.
He did what the Lord asked of him. And he did it well. Faithful.
That also defines Jesus. Reliable. He brought glory to God by completing the work that God gave him to do (Jn 17:4). He lived perfectly. He instructed thoroughly. Even in the midst of an interruption that one Saturday in Capernaum from the demon-possessed man. “‘What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!” (Mk 1:24). Yes. That is correct. Jesus was there to do away with the devil and his gang. And he did. He died innocently. And he rose triumphantly. Faithful. And worthy of consideration. “Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess” (He 3:1). Just concentrate on Jesus Christ. He is similar to Moses. Faithful to his task. Jesus’ assignment was to remove our guilt. And he did.
2. He is superior to Moses (3-6)
Go back to the rude awaking when you are trying to get some shuteye. Between the two, the sun is so much bigger and brighter than a lamp. While there is a similarity with faithfulness, upon further review, Jesus Christ is superior to Moses. Just concentrate on Christ.
If you were to put Jesus and Moses on one of those old-fashioned balance scales, it would tip in favor of Jesus. “Jesus has been found worthy of greater honor than Moses” (He 3:3). To drive the point home, the writer employs an illustration: “just as the builder of a house has greater honor than the house itself” (He 3:3). You more than likely cannot name too many of his 532 completed buildings—some of them houses (in all, he designed over 1000 structures), but you perhaps have heard of the architect Frank Lloyd Wright. He is more famous than anything that he created. As admirable as Moses is/was, Jesus is deserving of more praise. They are not on the same level. That is clear as the author references creation: “For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything” (He 3:4). Jesus as God fashioned all things.
It comes down to position. “Moses was faithful as a servant in all God’s house, testifying to what would be said in the future” (He 3:5). The term “servant” suggests one who serves, not because he has to, but because he wants to—not forced, but freely. It was Jesus himself who once mentioned about Moses to the Jews of his day: “If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote about me” (Jn 5:46). As Moses the prophet said his goodbyes to his people, he spoke of another—THE Prophet: “The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own brothers. You must listen to him” (Dt 18:15).
We give him our ears as he tells of God anger over our sin, but also as he talks of God’s forgiveness of our sin. Like the psalmist had us sing, we can be like the person whose “delight is in the law of the LORD [that is, God’s teaching and instruction], and on his law he meditates day and night” (Ps 1:2). Not just on Sunday—that is a given. But Monday through Saturday.
But therein lies the difference. Moses was in God’s house. “But Christ is faithful as a son over God’s house” (He 3:6). He is the Messiah, the Christ—anointed to be prophet, priest, and king. As such, he rules over all creation—over us.
And we have an important status: “And we are his house” (He 3:6). We are built into that spiritual house (1 Pe 2:5), of which Christ is the cornerstone (Eph 2:20). He is solid and we are sure. And there is a definite blessing: “if we hold on to our courage and the hope of which we boast” (He 3:6).
We have courage. Words flow without fear because we are confident that God hears and helps.
We have hope. Heaven is our home. And that is not in doubt, but in truth.
We have a boast. Jesus Christ is One through him all of this is possible.
Just concentrate on Jesus Christ. He is superior to Moses because he is above Moses in rank. And that is good for us who are under him.
There are all kinds of things that can distract us from technology to each other. The reminder is in order. Just concentrate on Jesus Christ. He is similar to Moses in faithfulness. They both carried out God’s goal for them. But he is superior to Moses. He is not in God’s house, but over it, reigning for our benefit. That makes it hard to look away from him. Happy Epiphany. Amen.
Grace be with you all (He 13:25). Amen.
January 28, 2018
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