Jesus is 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 as 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 hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope. (Hebrews 3:1–6 ESV).

 

The writer of Hebrews now turns his attention to the superior nature of Jesus over Moses. He has already established that Jesus is greater than the angels. He establishes this superiority several key distinctions:

 

First, he uses the image of a builder versus the house. This is the primary metaphor. Moses is described as a faithful part of "God’s house" (the people of God). Jesus is the builder of that house. Just as a builder deserves more honor than the house itself, Jesus deserves more glory than Moses because He is the creator and architect of the community Moses served.

 

Next, he uses the metaphor of the Son versus the servant. Moses was faithful in God's house as a servant, fulfilling his role by testifying to the things that would be spoken in the future. Jesus is faithful over God's house as a Son. A son holds authority and inheritance over the household, whereas a servant only carries out the owner's instructions.

 

Then he uses the metaphor of fulfillment versus foreshadowing. Moses delivered the Old Covenant and the Law, which served as a "shadow" or "testimony" of things to come. Jesus is the fulfillment of those promises, bringing a New Covenant established on "better promises," offering grace and truth rather than just the Law.

 

And finally, he shows Jesus to be the source of redemption. Moses led Israel out of physical slavery in Egypt but could not lead them into the ultimate "rest" of God because of their unbelief. Jesus leads a "new exodus," delivering people from the spiritual slavery of sin and providing eternal salvation and rest.

 

These comparisons were essential to his readers who were Jewish. They are essential to us today in that our nature is to be focused on earning our redemption by our works. All our works are little more than “filthy rags.” The grace of God is imparted to us through the work of Christ. Listen to the Apostle Paul:

 

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:8–10 ESV).

 

There are good works to be done, but these are the result of the “workmanship” of Christ. We get to do them! Focus on the greatness of our Savior!