STAY FOCUSED ON JESUS
Hebrews 3:1-6
The other day, I went over to the Ross Barnett Reservoir to take some pictures. As I was driving on west pipeline road, I saw an eagle, perched on a stump. Slowly, I stopped my car and put my camera with my telephoto lens in the window. What an opportunity for a great shot. I got off two quick shots before the big bird took flight. But, alas! When I down loaded the pictures into my computer, the focus was off.
In our text, the author of Hebrews writes, “Fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess.” (NIV). “Consider the apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus“ (NKJV). The key word to understanding Hebrews 3:1-6 is the word “consider” or “fix.” If I were translating this verse, I might put it this way. “Stay focused on Jesus.” We would do well to stay in “focus” on Jesus at all times, but most especially during times of testing.
We discovered in chapter one that Jesus is superior to the prophets and the angels. Now we discover that Jesus is superior to Moses. “For this one (ie. Jesus) has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses.”
Next to Abraham, Moses was the most revered man to the Jewish people. The Hebrew Christians were experiencing terrible persecution from their Jewish contemporaries. They were tempted to give up their Christian commitment and go back to Moses and the Law. The writer is trying to convince his readers that Jesus Christ is Greater than Moses. The entire Jewish religious system came through Moses but grace ant truth came through Jesus Christ. Therefore the writer admonishes us to “consider“ Jesus Christ. Fix your thoughts on Him. Stay focused on Jesus. Why should we stay focused on Jesus?
I. WE SHOULD STAY FOCUSED ON JESUS BECAUSE OF WHO WE ARE
We who are genuine Christians have confessed our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Note that the writer gives two special designations to His readers.
A. We are holy brethren: The word “holy” means to be set apart or separated to Christ. They are holy because they have turned from the world to Jesus Christ. The word “holy” is also related to the word “sanctified”. Heb 2:11 says, “For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren.” Jesus calls his followers, brethren. Moreover, in Christ we are God’s children.
B. We are partakers of the heavenly calling: Our call to follow the Lord Jesus came from Heaven. Moreover, it as a call to heaven. The word “partakers” can also be translated as “partners.” If the meaning is “partakers” it means that we have received that calling from God. If the meaning is “partners” it means that we have been called to share in a common responsibility, a common mission. The NIV says, “who share in the heavenly calling.”
The word “Partakers” is used several times in Hebrews. We are partakers of the Heavenly Calling (Heb. 3:1). We are partakers of Christ (3:14). We are partakers of the Holy Spirit (6:4). We receive God’s loving discipline in order that we might be partakers of His holiness (12:10).
II. WE SHOULD STAY FOCUSED ON JESUS BECAUSE OF WHO HE IS:
The writer makes a comparison and a contrast between Moses and Jesus. Moses was perhaps the greatest man in the Old Testament. The Law was given through Moses. As we have seen, Jesus is greater than the OT Prophets. God spoke in the past through the prophets but his final revelation has come through His Son. Jesus is greater than the angels. Now we see that Jesus is greater than Moses. The Hebrew believers were in danger of drifting back into Judaism . That is why the inspired writer said, “But this One (Jesus) has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses.”
A. Jesus is the “Apostle” of our confession: The word “apostle” means “one who is sent.” Normally we think of the apostles whom Jesus sent. But the emphasis is that Jesus was sent on a special mission. He completed his mission of redemption on the cross. It is this Jesus whom we confess.
B. Jesus is the “High Priest of our confession.” This is the second mention of the High Priestly ministry of Jesus (see 2:17-18). Moses was a prophet who occasionally served as a priest but never as the High Priest. That title belonged to Moses’ brother Aaron. Jesus Christ now has the title “Great High Priest.” Moses was primarily the prophet of the Law while Jesus is the messenger of God’s grace. Moses helped prepare the way for the coming of the Savior. Jesus is the Savior.
As the Apostle, Jesus represented God to man, and as the Great High Priest, He now represents men to God in heaven.
C. Jesus is the builder of the house. (3: 2-4): Both Moses and Jesus were faithful to the One who called them, but note the contrast between the “house” and the “builder of the house.” Jesus is the builder of the house. The builder is greater than the house itself.
The word “house” is used six times in these verses. House refers to the people of God, not a material building. We are that House. Moses ministered to Israel, the people of God in under the Old Covenant. Today, Christ ministers to His church, the people of God under the New Covenant. The church is the household of faith.
D. Jesus is the Son. (5-6): Once again, the writer of Hebrews emphasizes the greatness of the Son of God (See Hebrews 1:1-2, 5). Moses is a servant in God’s house while Jesus is the Son over God’s house. This does not belittle Moses but it does exalt the Son over the servant. Though Moses was faithful as a willing servant, Jesus was faithful as the Son. As we continue our Journey through the Book of Hebrews, we will see more and more of the supremacy of Jesus Christ over all things.
Jesus offers us so much more than Moses and the Law. Go back to verse one to the word “therefore.” That word connects Hebrews 3:1 with 2:18. “For in that He Himself (Jesus) has suffered, being tempted. He is able to aid those who are tempted.”
Who can you turn too when you are tempted? Certainly not to Moses and certainly not to the Law. The Law is like a mirror that shows us how
badly we need to be saved, but the Law can never save us. Only Jesus, the Son of God can save us.
One can look into a mirror and see dirt on his face. However, the mirror cannot remove the dirt. Only soap and water can do that. The Law reveals sin in our lives, but only the blood of Jesus can wash away our sin.
CONCLUSION: Ill. Some months ago a friend sent me an e-mail requesting help as he tried to witness to a man who had decided that he wanted to leave the Christian faith and become a Jew. How that man needs to read carefully the book of Hebrews. Why would anyone want to leave the New Covenant in Jesus Christ just to fulfill the requirements of the Old Covenant. Jesus is greater than Moses. What we have in Jesus is far superior to what the Old Testaments saints had in Moses.
As we continue in Hebrews we will discover more of the greatness of Jesus Christ. Jesus is greater that Joshua and greater than Aaron. The High Priest role of Jesus is superior to Aaronic priest hood. The New Covenant is greater than the Old. The Blood of Jesus is greater than the blood of the Old Testament sacrifices.
Friend, if you have never come to Jesus for salvation, I want to invite you to “consider Him.” “Fix your thoughts on Him. Get focused on Jesus. The first believers confessed their faith in Jesus Christ as the apostle and High Priest of their confession. Have you made your confession of faith in Jesus Christ.
If you are a Christian, I want to encourage you to keep on considering Him, fix your eyes on Him. Stay focused on Him. Hold fast to him in absolute confidence and in joyful expectation.
