Jesus, Greater than Moses

 

Therefore, holy brothers, you who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession, who was faithful to him who appointed him, just as Moses also was faithful in all God’s house. For Jesus has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses—as much more glory as the builder of a house has more honor than the house itself. (For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God.)  Now Moses was faithful in all God’s house was a servant, to testify to the things that were to be spoken later, but Christ is faithful over God’s house as a son. And we are his house, if indeed we ahold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope. (Hebrews 3:1-6 ESV).

 

Our reading today goes a bit further in the declaration of the superiority of Jesus. The writer explains why Jesus is the ultimate example to follow, and not Moses. Jesus is superior. At first glance this is a simple declaration to accept. Remember the writer’s audience though. There was never a greater leader, or deliverer, for the Jews than Moses. However, the writer of this epistle calls his audience to dismiss the idea that Moses was either as good or better than Jesus. It is also a call to trust in Jesus and to give him the confidence, trust, and willingness to follow that only He deserves.

 

We need two things in life: we need to hear from God and we need to go to God. We need a word from God and we need a way to God. We need to hear from God so that we know what he is like and what his purposes are for the world and what he requires of us. And we need a way to God because to be cut off from God in death would be darkness and misery and torment forever. So, we have these two great needs: to hear from God and to go to God. We need revelation from him and reconciliation with him. As great a deliverer that Moses was, he failed at meeting these two basic needs. Jesus is the only One who can meet those two needs.

 

In the coming days we will look at this declaration from the writer in more depth. However, today begin to think how easily we “drift” to others to be our God. Politicians, preachers, powerful men and women in our lives will all fail in providing us with the basic need to hear God and be with Him. Only Jesus is sufficient. Others may be helpful in getting to Jesus, but they are not the answer. Jesus is the answer!