Hebrews 3:1-6

Consider Jesus Christ

The book of Hebrews consistently compares Jesus Christ to Old Testament principles, highlighting his superiority. The author's audience faces opposition from Jewish groups who reject the gospel. To encourage perseverance in their profession of faith, the author shows Christ's superiority over angels, as a high priest, and now over Moses.

Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus, who was faithful to Him who appointed Him, as Moses also was faithful in all His house. For this One has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as He who built the house has more honor than the house. For every house is built by someone, but He who built all things is God. And Moses indeed was faithful in all His house as a servant for a testimony of those things which would be spoken afterward, but Christ as a Son over His own house, whose house we are if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end.

Moses was faithful, as recorded here and in Hebrews 11's hall of faith. Yet this passage calls us to consider Jesus—the Apostle and High Priest of our confession. The word "consider" means to contemplate, to think about, to keep on one's mind. It is a command, an imperative to align our thinking with reality: Jesus is worthy of more glory than Moses.

And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation.” (Revelation 5:9)

This worthiness stems from Christ's deeds—his mission of redemption for God's glorification. To consider him is a mental exercise, like meditating on God's law day and night.

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. (Joshua 1:8)

But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night. (Psalm 1:2)

Meditating on Scripture keeps Jesus on our minds, producing a high view of him. A right Christology leads to a right life. Jesus said, “If you believed Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote about Me” (John 5:46). The law points to Christ.

A high view of Christ means esteeming him above all else, even family or self. The opposite is doubt—seeing Christ as less than Scripture reveals him, focusing on circumstances instead of him, like Peter sinking when he looked at the waves.

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28)

True faith views Christ as sovereign, preeminently valuable. Doubt is double-mindedness, unstable living (James 1:6-8).

The Commitment (Faithfulness) of Christ

Jesus was faithful to him who appointed him, as Moses was faithful in all his house. Moses served in the house as a testimony of things to come. Christ, as Son, is over his own house—whose house we are.

It is a faithful saying: For if we died with Him, We shall also live with Him. If we endure, We shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us. If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself. (2 Timothy 2:11-13)

Christ's faithfulness is utterly reliable; he cannot deny himself. Our obedience rests on recognizing Christ as preeminently valuable. Our faith rests on his preeminent reliability. He builds the house—God builds all things, and Christ is the creator (Hebrews 1).

And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. (Matthew 16:18)

Peter confessed, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God,” revealed by the Father. Christ builds his church faithfully; we exist as his house because he accomplished his mission.

Confidence in Christ

We are Christ's house if we hold fast the confidence and rejoicing of the hope firm to the end—a hope we are not ashamed of.

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes. (Romans 1:16)

This confidence describes true believers: unashamed, holding fast. Biblical hope is confident expectation of God's promises as already real, because the Promiser is faithful. Christ's value and reliability produce perseverance amid trials, opposition, even lost friendships.

The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked came against me To eat up my flesh, My enemies and foes, They stumbled and fell. Though an army may encamp against me, My heart shall not fear; Though war should rise against me, In this I will be confident. (Psalm 27:1-3)

Confidence comes from focusing on Christ's finished work: crucified for our sins, raised for our righteousness. Men of faith have endured before. Don't abandon the truths that saved you. Scripture, brothers and sisters—the house of God—strengthen us. Confidence in Christ produces godly, holy, humble living.