Jesus' Way!

Read Hebrews 3:1-6
Title in NIV: Jesus is greater than Moses.

Some Jewish Christians at this time were continuing in the traditions and laws set out in the Mosaic Law. The writer of Hebrews continues to make the case that the new covenant and Jesus who established it, are superior to the old covenant established by Moses. God established both the old and the new, however, the old points to the new as we will see throughout this study of Hebrews.  The author tells the Jewish Christians that Jesus is the One they should be listening to and living by.

Chapter three starts out with the word  'therefore'.  I always ask myself, "What is that word 'there for'?" Then I read several verses before it, so a transition connects the two.  Hebrews 2:18 and 3:1 says, since Jesus suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. Because of this truth, let us fix our thoughts on Jesus whom we confess.  Jesus was faithful to God to death. Remember, Moses was not.  Moses did not get to enter the promised land (Deut 34:4). In the old testament, if you were not completely faithful to the law (you committed sin), you had to come to the temple and sacrifice a dove or something-- over and over for each sin.  Hebrews points to repentance of the heart and mind instead of an animal (blood) sacrifice. Later we get into Jesus' blood sacrifice for us once and for all.

In verse 3-6, the Hebrew writer uses a house analogy to help the Jewish Christians understand Jesus' superiority to Moses.
1. Jesus is the builder. Moses is the house.
2. God is builder of everything- through Jesus Christ. The builder get greater honor than what he build.
3. Christ is faithful as a son over God's house--even to death. Moses was faithful as a servant testifying about the future.
4. Moses was building a foundation. Jesus was the cornerstone of that foundation.

Another word for house in the bible is 'temple'. 1 Corinthians 3:16 says we are God's temple and the Holy Spirit lives in us. Next week the topic is about the Holy Spirit and what the Holy Spirit wants you to do. Join me to find out!

Blessings!