Fix Your Thoughts on Jesus
Hebrews 3:1-15
In addition the the title of High Priest, which the author has already introduced as a precursor to a later discussion, our first passage (3:1-6) adds the title “Apostle” which is not used of Jesus anywhere else in the Bible. We are familiar with the term as it is applied to The Twelve, and that it means “messenger” or “one who is sent.” Certainly, Jesus saw himself as being sent. The Gospels echo with the phrases “him who sent me” and “the one who sent me”. Jesus introduced his ministry with a passage from Isaiah that tells why he was sent (Luke 4:17-21) and he has passed his apostleship on to us, inviting us – commanding us to become a part of the active will of God (John 20:21).
As Jesus himself claimed that he was greater than Abraham (John 8:51-59) and Jacob (John 4:11-14) the author here claims that Jesus is greater than Moses. We may take this as a given, but for first-century, Jewish Christians, there may have been more reason for doubt. Moses had lead his people from captivity, he gave them the law, and their tradition attributed to him a large part of their scripture. Jesus had left them in the hands of the Roman government, had caused them to doubt the law, and had left them with no written instructions.
The author uses the words of God to put Moses in his rightful place. Using a passage that speaks of Moses in the highest possible terms (Numbers 12:6-8) the author points out that, though Moses may have been great, he was a servant of the house, not a son.
With this the author introduces the idea that we are the house. The Psalmist depicts us as part of the household – the sheep of his pastures (Psalm 100) and Jesus tells us that we are to abide, to live, to dwell in the very love of God (John 15:10) and at the same time, he says that, because of his love, the Father will make his home in us (John 14:23).
From this beautiful image, the author gives us an extended passage (3:7-15) in which he first calls us to encourage each other and then exhorts each of us individually to cling to the hope we are given in Christ. In the author’s audience, the age Jesus spoke of had begun when even Christians would betray one another, and the love of many would grow cold (Matthew 24:7-13). This was an endemic problem that Paul dealt with in many of the first-century churches (2 Corinthians 13:11; Galatians 5:13; Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 3:12-15; 1 Thessalonians 5:15) and indeed, it was addressed by most of the New Testament writers (James 5:9; 1 Peter 4:8; 1 John 4:7-8). Their attention to this idea is deserved. It is a problem that has not been limited to the first century. Since the time of Christ to this day, those who call on the name of Christ have turned against other rather than encouraging each other. But beyond these practical issues, there is the plain fact that it is the commandment of our Lord – we must love one another (John 13:34-35; John 15:17; John 15:13).
