The Greatest Apostle & Priest.
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 names Jesus as the Apostle and High Priest of our confession. A confession is a statement, like Baptism, it’s a public declaration of our faith in Jesus Christ as Lord over our lives, and Saviour of our souls. Jesus is both the Apostle and High Priest of the Gospel, the New Covenant in His own blood. He not only made it known to us, but He made it possible for us. The word Apostle means “sent one” and refers to a messenger. The same word in Latin is the root of the word “missionary”. In the chapters that follow the writer first compares Jesus to Moses, who was the messenger or missionary of the Old Covenant to the nation of Israel, and then to Aaron who served as it’s first High Priest.
The book of Hebrews shows Jesus to be greater than Moses and Aaron combined. They were servants of the Old Covenant, while Jesus not only chose to be a servant and messenger of the New Covenant, but He was also it’s architect and builder. Moses was a servant of the house of God, Jesus was the One who built the house. This is an unmistakable claim that Jesus is God, and clear argument to the Jewish Christians that Jesus Christ is the true and perfect fulfilment of the Old Covenant and greater, in every way, than the angels, Moses and Aaron, and everyone else who has ever served God.
The final verse of today’s reading brings you and I into this picture. We’re reminded that Jesus has chosen to make us part of the house that He has built. He’s chosen to make us part of His family, to make us His brothers and sisters. What an astounding privilege that is.
Prayer
Father God Almighty, Thank You for Your Son Jesus. Thank You for the way that You planned and brought about the Gospel, and offering us this free gift of a restored, eternal and perfected relationship with You through His life, death and resurrection. We join together with all the angels and all Your family in praising and worshipping Him. He is worthy. We love You Lord, Thank You. In Jesus Name. Amen.
Worship: Is He Worthy?
"Is He Worthy?" Do you feel the world is broken? (We do)
Do you feel the shadows deepen? (We do)
But do you know that all the dark won't stop the light from getting through? (We do)
Do you wish that you could see it all made new? (We do)
Is all creation groaning? (It is) Is a new creation coming? (It is)
Is the glory of the Lord to be the light within our midst? (It is)
Is it good that we remind ourselves of this? (It is)
Is anyone worthy? Is anyone whole? Is anyone able to break the seal and open the scroll?
The Lion of Judah who conquered the grave He is David's root and the Lamb who died to ransom the slave
Is He worthy? Is He worthy? Of all blessing and honor and glory Is He worthy of this? (He is)
Does the Father truly love us? (He does) Does the Spirit move among us? (He does)
And does Jesus, our Messiah hold forever those He loves? (He does)
Does our God intend to dwell again with us? (He does)
Is anyone worthy? Is anyone whole? Is anyone able to break the seal and open the scroll?
The Lion of Judah who conquered the grave He is David's root and the Lamb who died to ransom the slave
From every people and tribe Every nation and tongue He has made us a kingdom and priests to God To reign with the Son
Is He worthy? Is He worthy? Of all blessing and honor and glory Is He worthy?
Is He worthy? Is He worthy of this? He is! He is! Is He worthy? Is He worthy?
He is! He is! He is worthy! He is worthy! He is!
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Serving
The Lord Jesus welcomes us to be His Family, and instructs us to be the messengers of the New Covenant with Him. He made it possible, and now calls us to make it known. He lived and died in a demonstration of love for all His Family, and calls on us to do the same. Let us ask God our loving Father to show us who we can deliver this message to this week, and let us ask for the power and wisdom to do so in a way that will honour Him. In Jesus Name Amen.