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Giving Honor and Persevering in the Household of Faith (Hebrews 3:1-6)

Writer's picture: Corby AngleCorby Angle

Hebrews 3:1–6 - 1 Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the Apostle and High Priest of our confession; 2 He was faithful to Him who appointed Him, as Moses also was in all His house. 3 For He has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses, by just so much as the builder of the house has more honor than the house. 4 For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God. 5 Now Moses was faithful in all His house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken later; 6 but Christ was faithful as a Son over His house—whose house we are, if we hold fast our confidence and the boast of our hope firm until the end. What does today’s passage say? The writer of Hebrews portrays Jesus as God's ultimate messenger and intermediary between God and humanity (v. 1). He says that Jesus surpasses even Moses in terms of glory and honor (v. 2). While Moses faithfully carried out duties within God's spiritual family, Jesus is the one who constructed and oversees this family - the church (vv. 3-4). The passage emphasizes that we will remain firmly rooted in confident hope and trust in Jesus until the end if we truly are members of Christ's spiritual household (vv. 5-6). How can I apply Hebrews 3:1-6 to my life? The author compares Jesus to Moses, the central figure in the Jewish faith. While acknowledging Moses' devoted service, the writer emphasizes that Jesus, as the Son of God, has a superior role - He is the architect and sovereign over God's spiritual family, the church. For those who follow Christ, we are called to be part of this divine household, emulating our Lord's perfect commitment. This requires steadfast dedication to Jesus even when challenges or doubts arise. Though the temptation to waver can be strong, as it was even for Moses, Christ exemplified unwavering allegiance to the Father's will, embodying faithfulness to the uttermost through His crucifixion. He is the ultimate model of faithfulness we must strive to emulate. The passage also stresses that Jesus alone is deserving of our complete reverence and adoration as the very Creator of all that is. All too often, we allow temporary enticements and superficial pursuits to distract us from giving Christ the supreme glory He deserves. Yet recognizing His unmatched sovereignty over all of creation should compel us to align our affections and priorities accordingly. As part of God's eternal spiritual family, we are also called to persevere with resilient hope and trust in Christ despite the trials and deceptions this world will use to undermine our faith. In such times of struggle, we must firmly anchor ourselves in the unshakable truth of our Lord's promises.  Here are some basic principles from this passage that we should apply to our lives:

  1. Follow Jesus' Example of Faithfulness to God's Call on Your Life (vv. 1-2): The author depicts Jesus as God's ultimate emissary, sent with a divine mission to represent the Father to humanity. Jesus also serves as our high priest, advocating for us before God. Just as Jesus faithfully fulfilled his calling, we too are summoned to be devoted to the specific purposes God has ordained for our lives. This requires attentively heeding God's voice, obeying his guidance, and persisting through inevitable challenges and trials. To emulate Christ's example, we must diligently seek the Father's will through prayer and immersion in Scripture. Even when the path seems arduous, we can draw strength from Christ to remain resolute. Furthermore, faithfulness entails employing our gifts and abilities to edify the body of believers. When temptation to compromise or grow weary arises, we can look to Jesus' unwavering commitment as our model (1 Corinthians 4:2, 2 Timothy 4:5, Hebrews 12:1-2).

Food for thought: What is God calling you to in this season of your life? What steps can you take to remain faithful to that calling despite obstacles or opposition?

  1. Give Jesus the Honor He Deserves as the One Who Created All That Is (vv. 3-4): The writer asserts that Jesus deserves greater honor than even Moses, as Jesus is the architect of God's spiritual family while Moses was a servant within it. The passage declares that Christ is the originator and sustainer of the entire universe through whom all things were made. As the eternal Son of God, He is the supreme Creator over all of existence. We must revere and worship Jesus accordingly, recognizing Him alone as deserving of complete glory and praise. Giving Christ the honor due to Him means making Him the central focus of our lives and priorities. We can demonstrate honor to Jesus through the study of His word, obedience to His commands, and selfless service carried out in His name. Our mindsets, speech, and conduct should all be a reflection of the splendor and majesty of our Creator. When we face the temptation to glorify ourselves or worldly pursuits instead, we must realign our hearts to exalt Christ above all else  (John 1:3, Colossians 1:16, Revelation 4:11).

Food for thought: How can you give Jesus greater honor and glory in your daily life? What idols or distractions are keeping you from wholeheartedly worshiping the Creator?

  1. Hold Fast to the Confidence and Hope that Come from Being a Part of the House that Christ Built (vv. 5-6): The passage reminds us that through faith in Christ, we belong to God's spiritual family - the church that Jesus established. It urges steadfast confidence and hope in our Lord, even in life's inevitable difficulties and doubts. Our assurance rests on the completed sacrifice of Christ for our sake. To maintain this firm conviction requires staying closely connected to Christ through regular prayer, worship, and fellowship with other believers. We must be on guard against the deceptive pull of sin and worldly influences that could shake our resolve. If our hope begins to waver, revisiting God's promises in scripture and recalling His faithfulness will restore us. Surrounding ourselves with those who encourage us in our spiritual journey is also invaluable for persevering until the end (1 Corinthians 15:58, Hebrews 6:19, 1 Peter 1:3-5).

Food for thought:  What circumstances are currently testing your confidence or hope in Christ? How can you cling more firmly to the promises of God during these times? This passage highlights steadfast devotion, reverent honor, and persevering endurance as core hallmarks of authentic faith. As we consider Christ's perfect example of unwavering commitment, we are called to emulate that same resolute obedience in our own lives. Each new day presents fresh opportunities to follow in Jesus' footsteps - employing our gifts to strengthen the church while staying devoted to God's purposes for us. Moreover, we must continually recalibrate our worship and reverence toward the One who created and sustains the entire universe. Worldly distractions and enticements will always attempt to pull us away from giving Christ the supreme adoration He deserves. Yet if we fix our gaze on the splendor of our Lord, His glory puts all else into proper perspective. Finally, the metaphor of God's spiritual household reminds us that our journey demands persevering faithfulness until the very end. Trials and doubts are inevitable, but our hope remains firmly anchored in the trustworthy promises of our Savior. When our confidence begins to falter, we can spur one another on by pointing each other back to Christ - the originator and perfecter of our faith. By His empowering grace, we can cling tightly to our steadfast assurance. Prayer Dear Heavenly Father, I humbly ask that You grant me the strength to walk faithfully in the unique calling You have placed on my life. Attune my ears to clearly hear Your guiding voice, and instill within me a willing spirit to obey Your lead, even when the path feels arduous. I pray that You would cultivate within me a deep sense of reverence and awe for Your Son, Jesus Christ. May my daily thoughts and actions flow from a constant awareness of His supreme majesty as the very Creator of all things, that I may honor Him accordingly. In the midst of life's inevitable trials, I ask that You fortify my hope and confidence in You. Anchor my soul firmly to the unshakable truth of Your promises declared in Your holy Word. When doubts creep in, quickly remind me of Your steadfast faithfulness throughout all generations. Above all, I pray for persevering endurance to stay focused on Christ, keeping my unwavering gaze fixed upon Him until I behold His glory face to face. I pray these things in the most precious name of Jesus, Amen.

Hebrews 3:6 –  but Christ was faithful as a Son over His house—whose house we are, if we hold fast our confidence and the boast of our hope firm until the end. With His Blessings, Pastor Corby

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