Consider one’s confession of Christ!

The writer of Hebrews encourages the readers to truly know Jesus in whom they have placed their faith. These were Jewish converts facing extreme pressures, even persecution. Is Jesus really more important than Moses who was faithful in all of God’s house according to Numbers 12? As Jewish converts to Jesus Christ needed to have confirmation of their confession, so do we. Never forget that what Jesus Christ can do is based on Who He is.

Let’s take a few moments and consider the foundation of our Christian confession based on an observation of Hebrews 3:1-6. This passage gives a number of reasons why Jesus is worthy of confessing Him as Savior and Lord. Be encouraged to dig deep as noted by Charles Spurgeon, He is supremely worthy of our perpetual consideration from all points of view. . . If you think little of your Leader you will live but poor lives. Consider Him, often think of Him, try to copy Him. With such a Leader what manner of people ought we to be?

Jesus is an apostle, one sent by another for a purpose. Thomas Constable, . . . He is the One God sent to reveal the Father to humankind. . . It is amazing to think that God the Father sent God the Son to reveal Himself to His creation. I am reminded of the thought that God does not need us - He wants us. Our triune God has always had relationship and fellowship within the Godhead, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Just as amazing, if not more, so is that Jesus came to be our High Priest. R. Kent Hughes, Because he was perfectly human and perfectly divine, he knows both man and God. Thus he is able to speak to men for God and to intercede to God for men. It is a wonderful thing to have one represent mankind before a holy God but it is beyond compare to think our confession is based on Jesus, the High Priest who not only represents us to God by offering Himself as our once-for-all sacrifice!

The writer of Hebrews next focuses on a comparison of Jesus to Moses. The writer confirms the faithfulness of Jesus and Moses in God’s house. Raymond Brown, Moses was a faithful steward in the house, but Christ is its owner. As noted in Hebrews 1, Jesus was assigned responsibility by the Father to create all things. He created the house in which Moses was a faithful servant. William Barclay, . . . Moses was the servant; but Jesus was the Son. Moses knew a little about God; Jesus was God. Therein lies the secret of his superiority. And William L. Lane, Jesus is worthy of more glory than Moses in the same measure as God has more honor than the universe he created.

A comparison of Jesus to Moses must consider Moses as a type whereas Jesus is the reality. The tabernacle in the desert only pictured the permanent residence in heaven where Jesus now sits in authority at the right hand of the Father. Donald Hagner, In Moses we have promise; in the Son we have fulfillment, for in him God has accomplished his saving purposes.

Such consideration of one’s confession must lead to a proper evaluation of personal commitment. The writer to the Hebrews declared verse 6, And we are his house, if indeed we hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope. As noted earlier in this study of Hebrews, the warning passages can’t speak of loss of salvation since salvation is a gift. The warning must deal with false profession and/or loss of reward. Ray Stedman, It tells us that courage or boldness, and the demonstration of hope in word and deed is the continuing mark of those who belong to Christ. It does not rule out periods of weak faith and struggle. Also note the position of Zane Hodges, . . . just as one who was a true Levite by birth could withdraw from participation in the tabernacle of Moses’ day, so too one who is truly a Christian by new birth may withdraw from his priestly role within the functioning household. It was precisely this danger which concerned the writer, in the present warning passage as well as in later ones.

I have no interest in weakening the warning passages in Hebrews but to reconcile them to Scripture. One must affirm that salvation is a gift and rewards are for faithful service. Therefore, I believe this passage is meant to confirm the value of our confession which is secured by faith in Christ alone. Also, we are called to carefully, by God’s grace, build on that one foundation that which is worthy of that confession. Please take time to consider 1 Corinthians 3:11-15.

Learn more about why it is so important that our confession is tied to obedience. Join the study of Hebrews 3:1-6 under the Books of the Bible tab. There is no greater confession that to declare that Jesus is my Savior and Lord!

Just like you and me!

The writer of Hebrews declared in chapter 2, verses 14-18, that Jesus became just like us. It can be hard to grasp such a thought. Jesus is just like us but He gave sight to a man born blind, fed thousands of people with a handful of food, walked on water and commanded a storm to cease, raised a man from dead. Need I go on? How can such a person be just like us?

The answer is in Jesus’ birth which provided flesh and blood. He added a human nature to His divine nature. The only person who ever has been or ever will be one person with two natures. Why should He leave heaven to take on the form of a man? Because He had to become just like you and me to accomplish the purposes for which God sent Him to earth.

Two key purposes are proclaimed by the writer. First, Jesus took on a human nature in order to deliver humanity from slavery to Satan, sin and death. Second, He came to be a merciful and faithful high priest to those who place faith in Him. That almost sounds too good to be true. What do we need to do?

First, consider the incarnation, the Son of God being born into humanity. It was done so that He could die just like you and me. Charles Spurgeon, Think of Christ, who was a partaker of the Eternal Godhead, condescending to make Himself a partaker of flesh and blood . . . the Infinite, an infant; the Eternal prepared to die, and actually dying! To break the power of Satan, Jesus had to die as our substitute. The beauty of the cross is in the wondrous deliverance His death brings to us who place faith in Him alone. Donald Hagner, Death, indeed, may still occur, but it need no longer be feared. Its sovereignty, like the devil’s, is limited and soon to come to an end. Through the death of Jesus, and all that this means, Christians are set free from the fear that perpetually enslaves others.

Second, consider priestly service. The writer of Hebrews declared that Jesus became a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God. A high priest was chosen among men to offer gifts of sacrifices for sins as noted in Romans 5:1. Jesus’ function went beyond all other high priests. He not only offered up a sacrifice, He was the sacrifice. All other high priests had access to the Holy of Holies once per year. When Jesus died on the cross, the Temple veil was torn in two from top to bottom. His priestly service provides access at all times for us who trust His work on our behalf.

Consider a final note concerning Jesus’ life. He is a merciful high priest because He experienced everything we experience. William Barclay, He has met our sorrows; he has faced our temptations. As a result, he knows exactly what help we need; and he can give it. Jesus is not only empathetic but willing and able to deliver us in times of need. How thankful we should be that the Son of God became just like you and me, for our benefit. Warren Wiersbe notes Jesus’ close relationship to us, He is not ashamed to call us His brothers and sisters. Are we ashamed to call Him “Lord”?

Learn more about why it is so important that Jesus became just like you and me. Hebrews 2:14-18 which may be found under the Books of the Bible tab. Jesus is just like you and me but so much more!

Help, I’ve fallen!

Babysitting grandchildren can be enlightening, especially when they are in the 2 to 3 year old range. When there is make-believe trouble, a two year old has someone to call on who is more than able to deliver him - a super hero! Too often, I fear Christians forget we have the Super Hero to call on when we are overwhelmed by circumstances, pain, disappointment, failure. That person is Jesus.

Hebrews 2:10-13 gives details concerning our Super Hero. The writer cites three passages from the Old Testament to emphasize the depth of our Super Hero’s concern for us. The first passage cited is Psalm 22 and the following two passages are from Isaiah 8. Each passage is Messianic with a present and future meaning. The present meaning addressed a situation at the time of writing, the future meaning deals with the coming Messiah who has already come, Jesus Christ, our Super Hero.

In verse 10, the writer of Hebrews declares that the purpose for which God sent His Son into humanity was in bringing many sons to glory. God the Father sent God the Son to take on the form of a man, living among mankind, die on a cross for the sins of others, in order to bring many sons (and daughters) to glory. Of itself, that is an amazing feat of the Super Hero. We had fallen and we could not get up until we were raised with Christ in newness of life.

Since we were raised up, we still need the Super Hero because life can be tough. I need not name your issues since we have plenty that are common to us, like COVID-19. The most exciting aspect of this passage centers on our ability to call on Jesus Who hears us because He deeply cares for us and can relate to our needs. R. Kent Hughes, It was impossible for God to fully identify and thus fully sympathize with mankind apart from Christ’s incarnation and human experience. But now Christ’s perfection makes possible an unlimited capacity to sympathize with those exposed to troubles and temptations in this life. Raymond Brown, Christ came not only to share our humanity, but to transform it.

That sounds like it might too good to be true but the writer of Hebrews proclaims our Super Hero’s solidarity with us. In Psalm 22, we are called brothers and sisters of the Son who created the universe, I will tell of your name to my brothers; In Isaiah 8, we are called children of the Son, I and the children whom the LORD has given me. Thomas Constable, . . . believers are Jesus Christ's spiritual children. As such He will provide for us and prepare us for the future as a loving parent who has had greater experience traveling the same path (cf. John 14:1–3).

When we placed faith in Jesus Christ alone, we were united for all eternity to the One Who not only loves us deeply but is willing and able to help us today and every day to come. William Barclay, Because he sympathizes, Jesus can really help. He has met our sorrows; he has faced our temptations. As a result, he knows exactly what help we need; and he can give it.

The issue is not, is Jesus willing and able to help in our times of need? But, are we willing to submit to His sovereign care and to call on Him? My favorite verse in difficult times is Psalm 34:4, I sought the LORD, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. We have a Super Hero but He is not a genie in a bottle. He is our Savior and Lord. I choose to cast my cares upon Him because He truly cares for me. He proved it at the cross and it needs not be proven again because He is always faithful.

Learn more about your Super Hero’s commitment to you in Hebrews 2:10-13 which may be found under the Books of the Bible tab. It is foolish to try to get up on our own when we have Jesus, or should I say, Jesus has us.