Hebrews 3

Hebrews 3

 v1. We are holy because of verse 11 in the last chapter. We have finished his proof that Jesus is superior to angels and His relationship to us is so much superior than that of angels. He didn't just bring us a message. He lived with us, like us, to become the complete sacrifice and perfect intercessor. Suffering made that possible. Dropping into the world filled with sin means even though He committed no sin, He had to deal daily with the pain caused by the sin in others.

We have a unique individual calling on our life but we also share a heavenly calling. It is to be like Him. It is the Romans 8:29 calling. To be sons and daughters of God through eternity! NOW since you are made holy and have this awesome calling...Fix your thought on Jesus. The same word Jesus used in Luke 12:24, "consider". Look at to learn a lesson. This requires a desire, concentration, discipline, and time. We need to cultivate these things in our daily life. Our life should be about considering Jesus.

Did you ever think of Jesus as an apostle? Official representative of a Kingdom. High priest is a theme we encounter many times in Hebrews (12 references) and unique to this book. Priest in Latin is pontifix - bridge builder, a way for God and man to meet. In Jacob's vision Jesus was the ladder. He can represent God to us and us to God. He has been on both sides. 

v2-5. Quoting scripture again, Numbers 12:7, the writer is using familiar ground to the readers. House in Greek is building and family just as it is in Hebrew and English. Moses is a part of the house 1Peter 2:5 but Jesus built the house! The writer is beginning now to establish Jesus superiority to Moses. He was greatly revered as the hero of Israel for leading them out of bondage and more than that for bringing them the Law, being a mediator between God and man. He is seen as the greatest prophet, unparalleled in power, communicated directly with God, their great historian, and yet the most humble man to have lived.

v6. See how he is saying in verse 2 faithful IN the house and now the Son is faithful OVER the house. You are part of the household  (Romans 8:15-17)

In Exodus 35-40 there are 22 references to Moses faithfulness. But one of his great acts of faithfulness was predicting the coming Messiah. Moses faithfulness was just a shadow of the faithfulness to come in the Messiah. Can you name some ways in which Moses foreshadowed Jesus? Jesus was faithful to fulfill all the prophecies and be free of sin and die in our place, conquer death and hell and ever lives to intercede on our behalf.

 IF (what is that word doing in there!) Calvinists would argue that if they don’t persevere they were never saved in the first place. Armenians would say, “See, you have to endure.” 

HOLD ON  another nautical term is used in Acts 27:40   To hold your course. Isn't this like Jesus in Luke 9:51? Consider Him. To take up your cross and follow Him is to look as He did to the joy that is set before us and get our affections off this world.  We set our course with courage and hope.  Courage for here and now, hope for eternity! Romans 8:22-25 What is your destination?

v7. Leviticus 26:14 The Jews used this phrase weekly as a call to worship. God has always sought for us to listen. If we will hear with our heart we will want to obey because He speaks for our good. It's not someday that He is waiting for us to turn our ear to Him -- it is TODAY. We will see the importance of listening later in Hebrews. Refusal to listen was one of the main indictments against Israel in the book of Jeremiah. Jeremiah 7:13

The author is focused on helping this house church see why we must endure. A good beginning is not enough. Few have had as great a beginning as Israel. Recount those first few promising days. But what happened to them? Some always look back to their testimony of salvation, but what is happening in your life today? Are you growing closer or drifting?

v8&9. Provocation/Day of Temptation  =  Massah & Meribah   Exodus 17:1-7 and Numbers 20:1- 13  The lessons God offers and leads us through. We must be brought to a place of need to learn faith in God. Trust and Obey!  There is a time limit.  

v10. Watch your heart Colossians 3:1&2  Recognize God's ways Psalm 103:7   

v11. Psalm 95:7-11, 20-23

v12. Here is the problem with man - with the family of God - sinful and unbelieving hearts!  Can you have one? Were you delivered from Egypt? Has God done miracles in your life?  Are we any different from the Children of Israel? Now when He says, "Enter into my rest and cease from your own works" will you? When the report of the Promised Land comes back a mixed message will you trust God? How can we avoid a sinful unbelieving heart? (next verse) Here is the destructive cycle of an unbelieving heart, negativism, grumbling, quarreling and finally disobedience.

v13. Did you encourage someone today? Do you know some brother that is down? Don't kick him,(which is man's nature) lift him up. Write a note, take them to dinner and remind them of the things God has done through them. Remind them of what God has done for them and the plans He has for them. Help each other finish strong.

v14&15. Here is the pesky little 'if' again.  What does it mean to “share in Christ”? That confidence is the same confidence you had when you became a believer.

v16-18. 3 Question sets. That is, all except Caleb and Joshua. 1Corinthians 10:1-6

v19. The context here is a warning not to go back to Judaism but to remain a partaker of Christ. It speaks to all who would yield to unbelief because of fear. That fear is a lack of faith in who God is to us and His heart for us. It says, "I know better and God can't be trusted". There are two interpretations for the Promised Land in this context. One is in this life, walking in the fullness of the Spirit, with abiding joy and peace in heart and mind.  The other is Heaven.  One could argue (as does McGee) that the promise land still had battles and area to take.  The other point is they would not have had to if they had obeyed and trusted the first time as God promised to drive them out before them with hornets. Eternity is at stake in our interpretation. Let's play it safe and listen and believe! Then you do not need to worry about the “ifs”. Listen out of love for Him – that’s the appropriate response for all He has done for you.