Jesus is Greatest

By Pastor Chad

The primary focus of the book of Hebrews is to argue to a Jewish audience that Jesus is the long-awaited Messiah. In Hebrews 1-2, the author is arguing from the testimony of the Old Testament that Jesus is superior to angels and the one appointed by God to save the world. Chapter 3 begins a new section in the author’s discourse. At the beginning of the  chapter, the author of Hebrews encourages the believing reader by saying, “Therefore, holy brothers, you who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus…” (Hebrews 3:1a). What is it that believers should consider about Jesus? And what do these considerations have to do with one’s walk? 

First, the author claims Jesus is the One sent by God to sacrifice Himself for our sins. We see that in the last part of verse 1, “...consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession…” As an apostle, Jesus was sent. Indeed, that’s what apostle literal means. Jesus was sent by the Father to accomplish a mission–to accomplish a specific task. His task was one only He could accomplish. His mission was a heavenly one. His objective, an eternal one. His mission was to die for the sins of the world. And His death purchased a people for Himself. 

Second, because of His divine status and His heavenly mission, He is more worthy of glory than any other being. To the first century Jewish mind, Moses was the greatest human to ever live. And yet, the author of Hebrews writes, “Jesus has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses…(3:3). Though such a claim seems obvious to Christians, it would have been scandalous to a first century non-believing Jew. No human could ever be greater than Moses, but Jesus was no mere human. He is the Creator of the world. He is God incarnate. He is the Son of God who came to save the world. Such a status cannot be had by a mere mortal. No, Jesus is far greater than any mere human being because He created, purposed, saved, and calls humans to be His own.  

And last, the author asks the reader to consider that Jesus is the builder of the church. Verse 6 says, “Christ is faithful over God’s house as a son. And we are his house…” That is, those who are faithful to the calling of Christ are part of the house of God, which is the church. Though humans are tools or instruments for the kingdom work, we are not the one who builds the kingdom–we are not the one who builds the church. As the founder and starter of the church, Jesus is also the builder of the church. And the church He builds, He will call to Himself. The church He calls, He will empower. The church He empowers, He will use. The church He uses are those who submit to His Lordship.  

Thus, in the first six verses of Hebrews 3, the author is encouraging Christians to think deeply about who Jesus is and what He has done for us.