Hebrews 3:1-6 – Christ is greater than Moses

In verse 1, the author began by identifying himself with the readers by calling them holy brethren and partakers of a heavenly calling. The word “holy” would refer to them as a people set apart. They were also partakers of a heavenly calling, meaning that despite their differences in traits, backgrounds or personalities, they shared something in common. That was their calling. This calling originated from heaven. Secondly, the readers were identified with Jesus. Two more terms were used to describe Jesus. He is the Apostle and High Priest of our confession. The word “Apostle” would suggest that Christ had been sent by the Father for the purpose of bringing redemption. And as High Priest, He was their representative before God. Furthermore, He had offered Himself as our sin offering, the perfect and ultimate Sacrifice. Hence, the writer called on those going through tough times to consider Him or to keep their minds and thoughts on Jesus, their Apostle and High Priest of their confession. Thirdly, the people were identified by their common confession. A confession is essentially a statement of belief that had been agreed upon. Their relationships as holy brethren were bound by the confession, and their tenets of faith about Christ Jesus.

The writer urged them to consider Jesus because He was the Apostle of their confession. Secondly, He was the High Priest of their confession. And thirdly, He was greater than Moses. In comparing Christ with Moses, the author did not denigrate the latter for he knew that the Jews greatly revered Him. So he began by showing that both Moses and Jesus were faithful. And then from there he proved why Christ is greater than Moses.

In verses 3-4, the writer said that Jesus was worthy of greater glory than Moses just as the builder of the house is greater than the house. While Moses was a great leader he was just a member of the house, whereas Jesus as God is the Builder of the house. In verses 5-6, the writer showed another aspect why Jesus was greater than Moses. Jesus was faithful to God as a Son, whereas Moses was faithful only as a servant.  The contrast is this, great as Moses was; he was only a servant, whereas Jesus the Son of God was Heir of all things. Moses’ task was to testify of those things which would be spoken later. He could only point to Jesus.  The writer was calling on them not to look back to Moses but to consider Jesus for He was greater than Moses. Fourthly, the author was also calling on them to consider what Jesus had made them to be. In verse 1, He had made them holy brethren. Also in verse 1, He had made them partakers of the heavenly calling. And in verse 6, He had made us God’s house. The word “house” is referring to God’s people. The church is not a building, but a people that belongs to God. He rounded up with a very uncomfortable word by saying believers can only be His house, if they hold on to the hope firmly and confidently to the very end. 

Our faith is to be boldly lived out for we have a better foundation, the Lord Jesus Christ, the solid Rock. Hence our hope is definite and sure. We obtain this hope because of His great love and generous grace, so we must cheerfully celebrate our hope and live to magnify our Lord.