“The Messiah,

Moses, and Me”

Hebrews 3:1-6

Moses…• I have no idea what the great and godly man Moses, looked like…• Judaism follows him as the greatest of the prophets and even some ways the father of the Jewish people, over Jacob•He is most remembered for leading the Hebrews out of Egypt and receiving the Torah from God at Mt. Sinai, establishing Mosaic Law• If you ask any Jew to name the most important person in the history of Judaism, they would not name Abraham or king David, but Moses

Moses…•When the author wrote this, he knew Moses was still “huge” in the mind of the reader, if not as big as the presence of Jesus– because of deep tradition•Hence the import of establishing His superiority over Moses; remembering early Jewish Christians suffered from physical, emotional, and financial persecutions from other Jews

Moses…•In chapter 1, the author told us that Jesus is more superior than Moses, the prophets, and the angels•Then in typical Hebrew literary style, elaborated on the comparison between Jesus and the angels in chapter 2•Now, he elaborates on the he stated in chapter 1 – the superiority of Jesus over Moses

Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the Apostle and High Priest of our confession; 2 He was faithful to Him who appointed Him, as Moses also was in all His house. 3 For He has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses, by just so much as the builder of the house has more honor than the house. 4 For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God. 5 Now Moses was faithful in all His house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken later; 6 but Christ was

faithful as a Son over His house—whose house we are, if we hold fast our confidence and the boast of our hope firm until the end.”

Hebrews 3:1-6 (NASB)

A. Consider Jesus…•Vs 1-2, The word ‘therefore’ is a dovetail word; it needs to be connected with things that were said before•Last week, we learned that Jesus faithfully sacrificed Himself to save our eternal lives, and also to help us be victorious in daily struggles and temptations•Since we have a faithful and merciful High Priest who comes to our aid when we cry out, we must follow the advice that comes in the rest of these verses

A. Consider Jesus…•Pay attention to the word ‘consider’•The Greek word here is “ka-ta-no-e-o” which can be defined as “to think deeply”

“…And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye?”

Matthew 7:3 (NIV)

A. Consider Jesus…•Pay attention to the word ‘consider’•The Greek word here is “ka-ta-no-e-o” which can be defined as “to think deeply”•So, consider, or think deeply about what?•Think deeply about our Jesus, the Messiah, the Apostle, and the High Priest who is superior to anyone and anything in the universe

A. Consider Jesus…•Do you understand why this verse calls Jesus “the Apostle”?•He is not talking about ‘a member of the office of the apostles of Jesus Christ’•The definition of ‘apostle’ is “One sent forth” and our Jesus was the One sent forth by God the Father•And our High Priest, Latin ‘pontifex’, means Bridge Builder…

“…For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus…”

1 Timothy 2:5 (NIV)

B. Jesus, Superior to Moses•Vs 3-6a,

“3 For He has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses, by just so much as the builder of the house has more honor than the house. 4 For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God. 5 Now Moses was faithful in all His house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken later; 6 but Christ was faithful as a Son over His house…”

Hebrews 3:3-6a, NASB

B. Jesus, Superior to Moses•Vs 3-6a, the word ‘house’ 5 times…•When this happens in scripture, we should really pay attention•For most folks, “God’s House” means the church building, but not so…•Moses ministered to the Jews, but Jesus ministers to us, His House!•Look at the word ‘servant’ in V5; “ther-a-pon”– ‘attendant, servant of God

B. Jesus, Superior to Moses•The author is making a side-by-side comparison list between Jesus the Son, and Moses the Servant•Moses was a servant of the house. – v5• Jesus is a Son over the house. – v6•Moses was a member of the household. – v5• Jesus built the house. – v3•Moses spoke about things to come. – v5• Jesus brought the fulfillment of these things. – v6•Moses knew God personally, even conversed with Him face-to-face, like friends.– Exodus 33:11• Jesus is God. – Too many to list

B. Jesus, Superior to Moses•Bottom line– Jesus is superior to Moses, though the ancient rabbis considered him to be the greatest man ever, even greater than the angels•The author was not criticizing Moses, but helping the Hebrew Christians see Moses from the right perspective

C. But, there is a clause…•V 6b, “a distinct article or provision in a contract, treaty, will, or other formal or legal written document”– “IF”•God promised Israel that if they’d honor Him in their worship and obey His commandments, He would protect them and provide their needs•That is “conditional promise” which strictly depended on their response

C. The clause…•We know how that turned out…•That’s why the understanding our new contract with God is so important!•The blood of Jesus is SUPERIOR to all the blood ever spilled for sin in Moses’ Law!!!•IT IS FINISHED!!! HALLELEUJAH!!!

Take Home!! 1. We often allow our carnal desires

or the respect for another human to compete with the Savior for the throne of our hearts

2. We should not rely confidence of self, because we are prone to fail; we should have confidence in Jesus Christ who never fails