Jesus is Greater Than Moses
June 2, 2021
Commentary
The Holy Spirit was speaking directly to Christian Jews who were looking to Jesus out of one eye and at the same time glancing back to Judaism with the other eye. These Jews have been told how the Lord Jesus is superior to any prophetic revelation to the fathers (Heb. 1:1-3) and how He transcends any angelic creation (Heb. 1:4).
Now they are presented with how He is greater than Moses (vv. 1-6). Moses was esteemed by the Jews far above any other Jew who ever lived. He was the one who led the Jews out of bondage in Egypt. He was the one whom God used to bring the law, the order of worship, the pattern of the tabernacle, etc. to them (Num. 12:1-9). He communed directly with God (Ex. 3:1-14). He not only brought the Ten Commandments, but he also wrote the entire Pentateuch. Jesus was our high priest (v. 1). He was faithful to God and appointed by Him (v. 2). Moses was certainly a glorious personality and worthy of honor and respect. However, neither Moses nor the Mosaic law could redeem a soul; Jesus could. It was true that Moses was faithful in his house but Jesus was the architect and builder of the house (vv. 3-4). Moses pointed prophetically toward fulfillment (v. 5) but Christ is the fulfillment. A signpost is necessary, but the goal is all important.
Moses is by person a servant while Jesus by person is a Son (vv. 5-6). There is a big difference between a servant and a son. The servant does not remain in the house forever, but the son does remain forever (John 8:35). Servants come and go, but sons are sons for life.
Application
These Hebrews had their eyes on a man when they should have had them on the Lord. This can happen in my life if I am not careful. If I focus on a man and he falls I will also be in for a tumble.
Hebrews 3:1– 6 (NET)
1 Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, partners in a heavenly calling, take note of Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess, 2 who is faithful to the one who appointed him, as Moses was also in God’s house. 3 For he has come to deserve greater glory than Moses, just as the builder of a house deserves greater honor than the house itself! 4 For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God. 5 Now Moses was faithful in all God’s house as a servant, to testify to the things that would be spoken. 6 But Christ is faithful as a son over God’s house. We are of his house, if in fact we hold firmly to our confidence and the hope we take pride in.
Illustration: Does Your Son or Your Dog Inherit Your Kingdom
Watchman Nee tells about a new convert who came in deep distress to see him. “No matter how much I pray, no matter how hard I try, I simply cannot seem to be faithful to my Lord. I think I’m losing my salvation.” Nee said, “Do you see this dog here? He is my dog. He is house-trained; he never makes a mess; he is obedient; he is a pure delight to me. Out in the kitchen I have a son, a baby son. He makes a mess, he throws his food around, he fouls his clothes, he is a total mess. But who is going to inherit my kingdom? Not my dog; my son is my heir. You are Jesus Christ’s heir because it is for you that He died.” We are Christ’s heirs, not through our perfection but by means of His grace. (Source unknown).