Chapter 7
WHOM SHOULD WE CONSIDER?
Hebrews 3:1-6
“Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house. For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house. For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God. And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after; But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.”
This third chapter in the development of the argument that Christ is the Superior One, begins with the word, “wherefore.” The subject matter relating to His superiority proved that Christ is superior to the prophets; it was then further stated that Christ is superior to the angels. Developing this argument, Christ will be shown to be greater than Moses. This speaks volumes when considering that Moses was greatly honored and respected by the Jew, and should have been. We will look at him more closely later.
This first verse indicates to whom this letter is being addressed. “Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling….” We have learned that “brethren” is a name that was given as a result of the Sanctifier doing His work of sanctification. Once sanctification has taken place and sons have been brought unto glory (His glory), (Hebrews 2:10) He then, ” is not ashamed to call them brethren.” The word partaker is being now used in the beginning of chapter three. We, who as children, are now partakers of flesh and blood which gives us the right to be addressed as “partakers of the heavenly calling.” The phrase, “partakers of the heavenly calling” ties back to the fact that He is not ashamed to call the “sons unto glory,” brethren. When Christ calls “them brethren,” that calling is certainly to be recognized as a heavenly calling.
Certain requirements must be met for men to be called brethren. Men are not born into the earthly family as sons of God. They are born into the human family of flesh as partakers of flesh and blood and called children. They are referred to as sons only when they are placed into the family of God. Before this takes place they have not in any way been made “partakers of the heavenly calling.”
To be a partaker of the heavenly calling requires that there be first, the call of the gospel. Then, there must be the believing of the truth followed by the sanctifying of the Spirit. II Thessalonians 2:13, 14 teaches clearly this truth. Notice these verses, “But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.” This thirteenth verse teaches us that the work of sanctification is a work of the Spirit. The Spirit of Christ births one into the family of God. Thus, it is absolutely necessary that one be birthed before that one becomes a son and can then be spiritually called a brother.
Recognizing that this third chapter is being addressed to “holy brethren,” may we consider three thoughts: I. “Whom should we consider” (v.1); II. “Why should we consider” (vv. 2-5); III. “The way we should consider” (v. 6).
I. WHOM SHOULD WE CONSIDER v.1
Consider Christ the Apostle of our profession (v. 1).
The word consider must first be considered. Look at its meaning. As used here, the Greek verb katanoeo is used to challenge the brethren to direct their mind carefully toward Him. For the Jew this seems to be especially necessary because just a casual glance will not adequately reveal Christ to them. The prophet Isaiah certainly wondered who would believe the prophetic report pertaining to Christ. This was because of the humble way in which Christ was presented. In Hebrews, there seems to be awareness on the part of the writer that Christ must be looked at very carefully and closely to be clearly seen. The writer of Hebrews knows that the Jew will not readily accept the truth pertaining to Christ. By way of application, Christ also is not commonly received today by the masses. For the Jew, there was a judicial blindness; for the unbeliever today there is an intentional blindness. Romans 1:28 says, “And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;”
The admonition from our text is, “Consider.” This is a probing command. It is a consideration that does not involve just a casual glance. It calls for one to consider in the sense that there is something definitely to be examined and a lesson to be learned by doing so. Luke 12:24 uses this verb consider, “Consider the ravens” which means there is a lesson that may be learned by the one who intently considers the ravens. Yet the plea here is to “consider the Apostle.” To consider the Apostle, one should understand why Christ is called an Apostle and be shown what the word apostle means.
“In a general Biblical usage the word means, To send out. An apostle is a representative; a messenger, an ambassador, a person who is sent out into one country to represent another country. The word “apostle” has both a narrow and a broad usage in the New Testament. Three things are true of the apostle: I. He belongs to the one who has sent him out; II. He is commissioned to be sent out; III. He possesses all the authority and power of the One who sends him out” (Practical Word Studies in the New Testament; Vol. 1). The words ambassador, messenger, minister, and servant have been used to clarify the practical use of the word apostle. Jesus was all these things as He was sent or commissioned by the Father.
An apostle must have been chosen by the Lord or by the Holy Spirit having been an eyewitness or a companion of the Lord Jesus. This meant that the choosing had to be done by the Lord Jesus Christ, or in the case of Paul the Holy Spirit. Some scriptures that prove this are: Matthew 10:1, 2; Mark 3:13, 14; Luke 6:13; Acts 9:6, 15; Acts 13:2; Acts 22:10, 14, 15; and Romans 1:1. Today no one can refer to themselves as an apostle and be scriptural when doing so.
Jesus is called an Apostle of our profession, meaning that He was sent to do a particular work in regards to salvation. We should consider Him relative to that special work that required that He be sent. We also should understand the time in which He came as being of great significance. We are to consider Him as having been sent forth “in these last days,” as having “made the worlds,” “who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person,” who upholds all things “by the word of his power.” We are to consider Him as having been sent forth “in these last days” as having “made the worlds,” “who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person,” who upholds all things “by the word of his power.” We are to also consider Him as having been “made so much better than the angels.” We must also consider that He was sent, to “destroy him that had the power of death, that is the devil.”
The first two chapters give us plenty of reason to consider why he was sent. He, who is the “Altogether Lovely One,” is worthy of our constant consideration. By constantly studying and meditating on the Word, we may always be considering Him. Practically, we should consider Him as we make our decisions, as we have our relationships, and as we plan our days. Consider Him by always asking, “What would Jesus do?” Or, maybe better, “Jesus, what would you have me to do?” To consider Him means to be considerate of Him.
Consider Christ the High Priest of our profession (v. 16).
It is commonly understood that as “Apostle, Christ Jesus came to earth to represent God to man. When Christ Jesus is referred to as “the Word” (John 1:1), that is what is meant; He is the Word of God. In Hebrews 1:3 we learned that Jesus is the “express image of his person.” God the Father sent Jesus to express Himself fully. For believers today, the written Word is still doing just that.
Continuing in verse one of our text, the plea is made to consider Jesus also as the “High Priest of our profession.” How may we properly do this? First, this is an idea that the writer to the Hebrews refers to again and again. The idea of Jesus being the High Priest is given as a common concept to the Jew. The entire Jewish system, beginning with Moses appointing Aaron, had served the purpose of educating the people to the workings of the priestly office. The Books of Moses lay the foundation for properly understanding the priesthood. A key to understanding the function of the priesthood is by reminding ourselves that the word priest in the Latin is pontifex which means, bridge builder. Christ Jesus is the one who builds the bridge between man and God. For this to be accomplished, He must have a relationship with both man and God. He must know both man and God intimately. On a personal basis, He knows me. He knows all about me. With this being true, He knows what to tell the Father about me. He does this though in a most caring and in a most understanding way (Hebrews 4:15).
He also, as Hebrews 3:2 will tell us, is “faithful to him that appointed him.” Surely, we must be encouraged by this. Consider this. He is the faithful High Priest always busy about His Father’s business as demonstrated when He walked upon the earth. We have been told by the writer of Hebrews to consider Him. Now, may we ask why we should consider him?
II. WHY SHOULD WE CONSIDER HIM vv. 2-6a
Because of the honor belonging to Christ only (vv. 2, 3).
“Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house. For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house.” Moses was “faithful in all his house” but “this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses.”
We now will look at Moses to properly understand how we should consider Christ. In the consideration of Christ, Adolph Saphir, D.D. (1831-1891) has proven most helpful in the way he viewed Moses. Dr. Saphir was a Jewish convert to Christianity and has special insight. Some of the thoughts pertaining to Moses are being borrowed from Saphir.
“It is difficult for the Gentile to understand the veneration and the affection that the Jews had for Moses. It was Moses who was sent to them to deliver them out of their bondage. Moses was their apostle. He was the mediator of the old covenant. In Acts the Jews were never ashamed, but proud to say that “we are the disciples of Moses.” They recalled how Moses was lifted up out of the bulrushes and taken into the very court of Pharaoh. They knew that Moses was given the training and the luxury that only Pharaoh could have provided. They also knew that Moses forsook all those things to condescend to them and be their leader. We may remind ourselves that Jesus condescended leaving much more than even Moses.
Moses removed himself to the backside of the desert after killing the abusive soldier and burning him in the sand. Yet God was not through with Moses. He was to be resurrected from the desert to lead a mighty nation. He led this nation with great vigor and with great determination. Through Moses the entire Levitical dispensation was instituted. The learned Benal says, “While two chapters in Genesis are given to tell us how the world was created, there are sixteen chapters to tell us how the tabernacle was to be built. For the world was made for the sake of the church; and the great object of all creation is to glorify God in the redemption and sanctification of His people” (Epistle to the Hebrews; Adolph Saphir, page 176).
Moses was introduced as he appealed to Pharaoh in requesting that his people be freed. Miracle after miracle took place demonstrating that Moses was a person unlike any other. He had been given a special honor and a special commission to do the work of the One who sent him. Just as God commissioned Moses, He on a greater plane commissioned His Son Jesus.
Moses accomplished many great things. Through him God led Israel out of Egypt and through the Red Sea. It was by Moses that the Ten Commandments and the law were given. It was also by Moses that the entire National Life of Israel was established. The theocracy enjoyed by Israel had its birth in Moses. Moses was said to be faithful “in all his house,” and that he was. Without faith it is impossible to please God, but Moses was faithful.
Everything that Moses did in regards to Israel was a part of “his house.” Moses was used of God to structure its legal system, giving Israel a moral code. He was able to endure as he led them through the wilderness. For forty years he led his people until he came to Mount Nebo to die. They and all that were involved made up his house. Yet his house, as great as it might have been, was inferior to the house of Jesus.
The house of Moses may be called the house that law built; the house of Jesus may be called the house that grace built. John 1:17 says, “For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.” The writer of Hebrews after carefully giving honor to Moses is now moving to show that Christ Jesus is worthy of more honor. It should be understood that Moses is a type of Christ. The type is always only a shadow. Christ is the substance. Both Moses and Jesus were threatened by death because of the cruel rulers of their day. Moses was willing to die for Israel; Jesus did die for humanity. Moses brought the law on tables of stone; The Lord Jesus writes the law on our hearts. As great as Moses was, consider this: Christ is greater!
Because of the House belonging to Christ only (v.4, 6a).
The House of Christ is different than the house of Moses. The writer of Hebrews is encouraging in a very delicate manner for those who were still occupying the old house of law to vacate it and move into the house of Grace. Certainly the old house had served a very noble purpose, but that original purpose had expired. The old house was of another dispensation. During the time that the book of Hebrews was being written was a transitional period. One only needs to study the Book of Acts to see this truth amplified. In the Book of Romans Paul stated that the Israelites had “a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge” (Romans 10:2). Paul said that they were ignorant of God’s righteousness and were going about to establish their own righteousness. In verse three of Romans chapter ten, we are told that they “have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.” Verse five says that “Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law;” Verse four says, “For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.”
Paul was dealing with the Jews who wanted to stay in the old house. Paul had to leave the old house admitting later that he had stayed in it out of ignorance. Lydia was worshiping God in the old house, but God opened up her heart of unbelief, which allowed her to move into the new house. The Ethiopian Eunuch is another example. The Spirit of God directed Philip to the Gaza strip to confront the eunuch with the Gospel of Christ. When the eunuch asked, “What doth hinder me to be baptized?” (Acts 8:36), he was ready to move from the old house to the new house. Philip answered the eunuch, “If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God” (v.37). This is when the Ethiopian moved from the old house to the new house. The new house has much greater honor.
It has greater honor because it is the house that Jesus built. In a greater sense, the house that Jesus built is the church. He is the Chief Corner Stone, and we are built together as “lively stones.” The Lord Jesus takes up His abode in us, and we in Him. We are brought together as the church. As the church we are framed together. The church as described in the New Testament could not have existed in the Old Testament. The requirements of the Law knew nothing of the Spirit of Ephesians when it described the church. Let the Word itself speak in the following verses found in Ephesians 2:11-22. “Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together growth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.”
Another major consideration is that Moses was a servant over his house, but in a much more superior way, Christ is a Son over His house. The argument of the superiority of Christ forges on.
III. THE WAY WE SHOULD CONSIDER v.6b
By holding fast the confidence (v. 6b).
“But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.” The grace way is also the faith way. One does not satisfy God by working first; one satisfies God by believing first. Once belief has been established then there must be works. God wants us to move from the house of law to the house of grace. Abel worked in offering his bloody sacrifice, but he believed first. Cain worked, but there was no belief. Had there been belief it would have been made evident by Cain’s works. This Cain like spirit is what still separates mere religion from living faith and worship.
The ongoing theme of Hebrews that insures one going on to perfection is our keeping our eyes upon Jesus. There is no way that the church collectively, and the church individually can be strong when it does not operate by faith. So much that we do is calculated without any element of faith. To be ruled by faith, is to walk freely in His grace. Faith must govern the believer. To worship God without faith is not acceptable. Later in this chapter a warning is given, “Take heed brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God” (v.12).
An outstanding mark that characterizes the believer is his love and obedience to the Word of God. To obey the Word of God, one must believe the Word of God to be so. The late Charles Haddon Spurgeon believed the Bible to be perfect. Here is his testimony to the Bible’s perfection: “This volume is the writing of the living God: Each letter was penned with an almighty finger; each word in it dropped from the everlasting lips; each sentence was dictated by the Holy Spirit. Albeit, that Moses was employed to write the histories with his fiery pen, God guided that pen. It may be that David touched his harp and let sweet Psalms of melody drop from his fingers, but God moved his hands over the living strings of his golden harp. It may be that Solomon sang canticles of love, or gave forth words of consummate wisdom, but God directed his lips and made the preacher eloquent. If I follow the thundering Nahum, when his horses plough the waters, or Habakkuk, when he sees the tents of Cushan in affliction; if I read Malachi, when the earth is burning like an oven, if I turn to the smooth pages of John, who tells of love, or the rugged, fiery chapter of Peter, who speaks of fire devouring God’s enemies; if I turn to Jude, who launches forth anathemas upon the face of God-everywhere I find God speaking. It is God’s voice, not man’s; the words are God’s words, the words of the Eternal, the Invisible, the Almighty, the Jehovah of this earth” (Charles Hadden Spurgeon).
One of the dangers that prevail today is the on-going attack on the King James Bible. The lie that is being perpetrated says that the King James Bible should be replaced. It does not fit in today’s English. When one moves like this from truth, he is moving toward a lie. It then becomes impossible to exercise confidence. If one’s confidence is being exercised this way, then it is being placed in the wrong thing. We need to “hold fast the confidence by being steadfast. II Corinthians 15:58 tells us this, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” To be stedfast to the work of the Lord, one must be steadfast to the Word of God.
By holding firm the rejoicing of the hope unto the end (v.6b).
We certainly have reason to shout and reason to rejoice right unto the end. The Book of Hebrews is a very challenging Book of the Bible. I was talking to Dr. Charles Keene recently. He said that the Book of Hebrews is his favorite Book. Dr. Keene has been extremely involved in getting the Scriptures out for several decades. We will look at several verses pertaining mostly to Christ as we close out this section. Verses like this may be the reason Dr. Keene and so many others love this book. These verses will be given greater consideration later, but now may they whet our appetites proving that we have so much to shout about.
Powerful Word—“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12). This verse is a cure for unbelief. It shows us that we should place our confidence and trust in Christ because His Word “is quick, powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword.” The Word of God is our weapon as we go on to perfection. It will help us cut through many difficulties along the way.
Great High Priest—“Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all pointes tempted like as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:14,15). These verses tell us that we can hold fast our profession because our High Priest has victoriously passed into the heavens. He also knows what we are going through day by day.
Saved forever—“And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;” (Hebrews 5:9). This verse describes our Saviour being made perfect as the author of eternal salvation. This truth should put one on shouting grounds.
A hope as an anchor—“Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;” (Hebrews 6:19). Christ is our anchor. He is an anchor of the soul; He is sure, and He is steadfast. Many storms may come, but you need not be tossed to and fro, for the anchor still holds.
An unchangeable priesthood—“But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood” (Hebrews 7:24). How wonderful knowing that we have a Priest who is available, and that He will always be available. It is never necessary to call back because of a wrong number, and our High Priest does not put us on hold. The Old Testament Priest could not continue by reason of death or defilement. This is not so with our High Priest; He ever lives to make intercession.
He can save to the uttermost—“Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them” (Hebrews 7:25). Years ago I heard a message on this text entitled “saved from the gutter most to the uttermost.” His salvation is complete and permanent. He saves to the uttermost. When Jesus saves, it matters not how sinful you are; He can save you completely.
He is higher than the Heavens—“For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;” (Hebrews 7:26). Our High Priest comes to sinners, but sinners do not contaminate Him. He also is Holy, harmless, and undefiled.
He obtained eternal redemption for us—“Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us” (Hebrews 9:12). His Priestly work, including His sacrifice, does not have to be repeated. He only needed to go once into the holy place to obtain eternal redemption for us.
He goes into the presence of God for us—“For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, not to appear in the presence of God for us:” (Hebrews 9:24). Christ Jesus is now in heaven appearing in the presence of God, on our behalf. He intercedes for His own.
He will make you perfect—“Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well-pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen” (Hebrews 13:20,21). These two verses are wonderfully given, and show the ongoing work of the Lord to bring about our perfection. It is God’s purpose that we are like Him. To be like Him we must keep our eyes upon Him. This is only done when we learn of Him from the Word of God. I can only see His face when I see His face by the Word of God. I can only see His hands when I see His hands by the Word of God. Likewise, I can only see His feet, when I see His feet by His Word. All that I know of Him, He shows me in His Word. May we always consider Him this way.
