Whom Should We Consider?

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;”