Hebrews 3

vs. 1-6 Continuing his proofs (what I now realize were noxious to the Jews), ‘Paul’ asserts the superiority of Jesus to Moses.

Points made

1. Jesus: apostle and high priest of our confession

Faithful to God as Moses was faithful

Jesus more glorious: analogy–the builder is more glorious and important than his construction (Picasso is more worthy of honor than his painting).

God made everything.

Moses faithful as a servant; Jesus faithful as a son.

MH sidenote: “This has been turned by some into scorn: “These,” say they, “are the holy brethren;” but it is dangerous jesting with such edge-tools; be not mockers, lest your bands be made strong. Let those that are thus despised and scorned labour to be holy brethren indeed, and approve themselves so to God; and they need not be ashamed of the title nor dread the scoffs of the profane.”

Perhaps from Ben Jonson’s The Alchemist: … (or the milieu of mockery)

the holy Brethren
Of Amsterdam, the exit’d Saints: that hope
To raise their discipline, by it. (II.iv.29-31)

The point: the Jon Stewarts of this world will mock. Partly because of the Christian’s desire to be holy, but often bc of the “holy brethren” tendency to be hypocritical and self-righteous. Live in such a way that the mockery is untrue.

Apostle and high priest: “the chief officer of the Old Testament as well as the New, the head of the church in every state.”

Meditation:

“Consider what he is in himself, what he is to us, and what he will be to us hereafter and for ever; consider him, fix your thoughts upon him with the greatest attention, and act towards him accordingly; look unto Jesus, the author and finisher of your faith.”

.A matter of imitation. Faithfulness to His calling:

“He is faithful to that appointment, punctually observing all the rules and orders of his mediation, and fully executing the trust reposed in him by his Father and by his people.”

A matter of worship: Creation of the world and the church.

“No less power was requisite to make the church than to make the world; the world was made out of nothing, the church made out of materials altogether unfit for such a building.”

So what?

1. Today, ponder the person and work of Christ rather than becoming maudlin.

2. Ponder His faithfulness and apply it to my faithfulness in work and service.

7-19 Do not harden your heart through unbelief.