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The author of the book of Hebrews focused his teaching in Heb. 3:1-6 to start with us and end with us. We are referred to as “holy brothers and sisters” who share the highest of God’s heavenly calling. Why such an honourable and distinguished designation? Heb. 3:1 starts with “Therefore” that requires us to remember what was written before in Heb. 1 and 2. We are reminded that God made us a little lower than the angels, crowned us with glory and honour and made us rulers over all things. This is truly a holy and glorious calling from God. Indeed it is far beyond our imagination to be made a little lower than angels with the awesome responsibility to rule over all things. Hence, to serve this high calling from God we as those faithful in the things of God.
With this in mind we proceed to read why the author seeks to place Jesus as more faithful than Moses. Moses served faithfully when he was entrusted with God’s entire house – the Israelites leaving from captivity in Egypt for the freedom in the Promise Land. Moses discharged his role as the servant to fulfil God’s plan for His people. But Jesus’ greater honour is that as the Son of the Builder of the house. Moses is the servant but Jesus is the Son. Moses was fully faithful as the servant in discharging his duties to bear witness to the truths God would reveal later. Jesus was fully faithful as the loyal Son in charge of the household of the Builder. Jesus’ greater honour was in His inheritance and ownership of His Father’s house. A far greater faithfulness was required of Jesus. A far greater duty was required of Jesus: “that He too shared in their humanity so that by His death He might break the power of him who holds the power of death” (Heb. 2:14)
Moses was faithful as a servant; Jesus was faithful as a Son. Jesus is the pioneer and perfecter of faith (Heb. 12:2). What then is required of us as God’s house of “brothers and sisters”? We have a high and glorious calling to faithfulness. “Made a little lower than angels” is a powerful and divine status and we are called to live Christian lives of faithfulness. This faithfulness is aptly summarised in Heb. 3:6 – “to maintain our trust and joyful hope steadfast to the end” (JB Philips).
