Jesus—Better Than Moses

The Bible affirms Moses in so many ways, and it is obvious that to Jews throughout history, he is not merely a forefather, but a hero. Moses is one of the most prominent, respected leaders in Jewish heritage. So when the writer of the New Testament book of Hebrews first mentions Moses, it is with a clear level of respect.

In fact, in Hebrews 3.1-6, the letter commends Moses in several ways. But it is even clearer that although Moses is good, Jesus is better. Jesus is the greatest, and He is certainly far superior to Moses.

Simply put, the writer says that they should “consider Jesus.”

In this text, there are a couple of immediately noticeable comparisons between Jesus and Moses. The writer says that both of them were faithful to God the Father who appointed them in their roles. Another implied comparison is that both are worthy of glory and honor. But that is where the distinctions become clear.

First, he refers to Jesus as the apostle and high priest of their confession as Jewish believers. Then Jesus is described as having more glory or honor than Moses (v. 3). He is saying that Jesus is greater than Moses. But how, specifically?

There are two metaphors used. The first is that although Moses was instrumental in the household of faith, Jesus built the house. As the builder, Jesus is greater and worthy of more glory. The second metaphor is that although Moses was like an amazing servant in the house, Jesus is a Son over the household. And a son is greater than a servant.

There is a glowing example of this comparison of glory in what Paul says to the Corinthian church about the ministry of Moses and the ministry of the Holy Spirit:

Now if the ministry of death, chiseled in letters on stones, came with glory, so that the Israelites were not able to look directly at Moses’ face because of the glory from his face—a fading glory—how will the ministry of the Spirit not be more glorious? For if the ministry of condemnation had glory, the ministry of righteousness overflows with even more glory. In fact, what had been glorious is not glorious now by comparison because of the glory that surpasses it. For if what was fading away was glorious, what endures will be even more glorious. (2 Corinthians 3.7-11, HCSB)

Moses’ glory eventually faded. Jesus’ glory has not. The Bible is clear in several instances that Moses’ law is good and has its place, but that the work of Jesus fulfilled the law. The writer of Hebrews will make that abundantly clear, later in his letter.

Listen to this amazing indictment by Jesus:

For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me, because he wrote about Me. (John 5.46, HCSB)

All of the Scriptures point to Jesus. Including the Book of Moses (Genesis through Deuteronomy—the Pentateuch). Moses was looking ahead, to Jesus.

A trust in one’s religious heritage or heroes, rather than Jesus, is a dangerous thing. Jesus is greater.

The Best Brother Anyone Could Have

Growing up with a brother or sister or both can be quite a competitive venture. Most of us don’t even mean for competition to happen; it just develops naturally. Some sibling rivalries are legendary.

For those who are blessed to have a brother or sister, often it seems that there is not much middle ground: Either you have a wonderful relationship, or you struggle to have a good relationship with your sibling. Imagine having the best possible brother you could have. What would that look like? Well, if you’re a follower of Jesus, you have just that.

We often think of God as our perfect Father, and we should. But do we realize how vibrant is the picture of Jesus as our brother? The Scriptures say this in several ways. Jesus is the best big brother anyone could ever imagine.

We have previously seen that the basic idea throughout the book of Hebrews is that Jesus is better than everyone and everything. In Hebrews 2.10-18 the writer shows that Jesus is the best brother anyone could have. You can see the family theme in this text in these words:

• Verse 10: “sons”
• Verse 11: “one Father…brothers”
• Verse 12: “brothers”
• Verse 13: “children God gave Me”
• Verse 14: “children”
• Verse 17: “like his brothers”

With this backdrop of a spiritual family in view, we see Jesus on display as the best possible older brother, and that principle has its effect in a few ways.

Having the Son of God as my brother means that I have an eternal family. (vv. 10-13)

As Jesus’ perfection was shown to be complete through His suffering, God’s word says that He brings many sons to glory, and they are tied together with Him not only in His suffering, but also in His future glory. Jesus isn’t ashamed to call them brothers, the spiritual and eternal family who God the Father gave to His Son. This is also reminiscent of Ephesians 3.14-15:

For this reason I kneel before the Father from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named. (HCSB)

We have been adopted into the family of God by grace through faith. And because of His suffering for us, He calls us His brothers and sisters in the eternal family.

Having the Son of God as my brother means that I have a powerful representative. (vv. 14-16)

Growing up, it was always a relief when my older brother represented me before others. I knew he would look out for me. Imagine, though, what it’s like to have the Son of God as your big Brother. He always looks out for you in ways that you haven’t even imagined. Verses 14-15 say that He looks out for us so much that He even destroyed the Devil on our behalf. He didn’t do this for angels—He did it for His brothers and sisters (v. 16). Paul says in Romans:

For those He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers. (Romans 8.29, HCSB)

He is not ashamed to call us family, and as the firstborn Brother, he is pleased to look out for us in every way.

Having the Son of God as my brother means that I have the ultimate advocate. (vv. 16-18)

What if your brother not only looked out for you, but also even stood in your place before a holy God? And took the punishment that was due you? That’s what Jesus did for His brothers and sisters. He took our place, and took on Him the wrath that we would have had to take (propitiation). He became like us and was then tested and suffered, so that He would be able to help us. If we trust in Him and do His will, He calls us family:

Whoever does the will of God is My brother and sister and mother. (Mark 3.35, HCSB)

What an amazing Brother that Jesus is to those who believe!

The Danger of Drifting Away

Have you ever gone to one of those gift shops in a vacation destination that sells fancy driftwood? I’ve seen those pieces of wood in many places. What amazes me the most is how expensive some of them are. Some cost hundreds of dollars. For a piece of wood. A piece of wood that is dead.

Granted, some of the pieces look very cool. They are quite interesting. But let’s be honest: Where else but in America would we pay hundreds or thousands of dollars for a piece of wood that died and drifted far away?

In Hebrews 2.1-9, the writer discusses the grave danger of drifting away from God by neglecting the great salvation He has made available. Drifting away involves death, whether a slow death or not. Notice how serious the warning is in these verses. He tells us some things to beware of.

Beware of drifting away from the word of God. (v. 1)

The writer is helpful to begin by specifically stating what we must beware of drifting away from: Beware of drifting away from what we have heard. And what had they heard? God’s word. So he says they and we must “pay even more attention” or “pay much closer attention” to His word. Why? Because God’s word is truth, and God’s word is power.

James also highlights the problem with someone who hears the word of God without really listening and acting on it. He says:

But be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. (James 1.22, HCSB)

So the first thing he tells us to beware of is drifting away from God’s word. That leads to the second one.

Beware of falling away from the salvation of God. (vv. 2-4)

Having stated the place from which our drifting begins—from the word of God—now the writer tells us that neglecting “such a great salvation” will cause us to fall away from it. He questions how we can escape our due punishment if we neglect His salvation. And he says we have all the proof we need: Jesus spoke it; those who heard Him confirmed it; signs, wonders, miracles and spiritual gifts testified to it. How much more evidence do we need?

The Bible graciously warns of a great falling away, and it comes after people have been deceived and have drifted from the truth:

Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way. For that day will not come unless the apostasy [rebellion, falling away] comes first and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction. (2 Thessalonians 2.3, HCSB)

Sadly, it seems that many will be deceived by the false signs that will be on display (see 2 Thessalonians 2.9-12), and they will believe the lies of the adversary instead of the truth of the cross of Jesus. Many in our day think that this kind of talk is foolishness, but God graciously predicted that, too (see 1 Corinthians 1.18).

Beware of missing out on the glory of God. (vv. 5-9)

If drifting away from the word of God can make us fall away from the salvation of God, the worst part is missing out on the glory of God. The writer here is saying that Jesus was subjected to suffering and death so that we don’t have to face the due and just punishment described in verse 2 if we trust in Him and do not fall away. What is that just punishment? Eternal death…separation from the glorious God. He then says that because He was subjected to death, He has been crowned with glory and honor—glory and honor that we get to experience when we are with Him. In addition to being with Him, which we don’t deserve, look at what else happens:

Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of the Messiah, and they will reign with Him for 1,000 years. (Revelation 20.6, HCSB)

Missing out on God’s glory happens because we fall away from His great salvation. And falling away from faith happens when we drift away from His word. There’s a terrible pattern of regression here. God desires that you know Him through His word so that you can delight in His great salvation and begin to share in His true glory!

A dead piece of driftwood may appear beautiful and have value to many people. But it’s still dead.

For Marriage

There are times when certain issues require our attention. For North Carolinians, this is one of those of those times.

At the end of our worship gathering at Fellowship yesterday, I shared with our congregation why I will be voting for the marriage amendment to our state constitution. While we do not endorse candidates, and carefully choose when we make any public comment on political matters, in my view this amendment is far greater than any merely political action.

Simply stated, I will vote for the amendment because marriage matters to God. He created marriage in the first place, immediately after He created Adam and Eve. And although there were cultural shifts throughout biblical times, it is clear that God’s purpose and design for marriage never changed. I have briefly written previously on marriage here and here.

To me, the greatest principle, coming from Ephesians 5 (see links above), is that we as husbands and wives, in one-man, one-woman covenant relationships, have a great privilege in sharing the gospel of God through the picture of marriage. It’s as simple as that.

Some have argued that it is not loving for us to keep marriage as defined as being between one man and one woman—that this excludes other types of relationships and is therefore unloving. To that, I would say that the most unloving thing that I can do is to have what I believe is the truth and grace for all cultures, and yet not share it. Not to give the truth, in loving and caring ways, is unloving.

These are the primary reasons why this vote is necessary and critical.

Some interesting and helpful commentary has been offered by JD Greear and David Horner.

If you live in North Carolina, I encourage you to vote for marriage, and for the marriage amendment, tomorrow on May 8.

An Angel…or Jesus?

I don’t think I ever watched a full episode of the nine-year CBS television series Touched by an Angel.

I haven’t missed it. But I do remember seeing snippets of the show. It seems the good angels always show up at just the right time, and do just the right thing.

If someone were to ask me who is better, Jesus or an angel, the question would be an obvious moot point. But for those who accept a vague spirituality, or who just have an exaggerated view of angels, that question is a challenging one that they must get right.

This is why the section in Hebrews 1.4-14 was written. In the first century, those who were God-fearing Jews had a very high view of angelic beings. Some of them also had not yet committed to being followers of Jesus, and were essentially riding the fence on that decision. It was into this context that the writer says emphatically: Jesus is superior to angels. But why, specifically?

The writer of Hebrews simply makes basic points about the claims of Jesus. And he wisely uses texts from the Hebrew Scriptures (the Old Testament) to prove a few points. Take a look at Hebrews 1.4-14, and note these important distinctions.

Jesus Christ is better than angels because He is the Son of God. (vv. 4-5)

In verses 4-5, when he quotes from the Psalms and 2 Samuel, he is saying that Jesus automatically has a higher rank simply because He is the Son of God. It’s a very basic, but important argument. Look at how God the Father is blessed by and pleased with His Son:

…and the Holy Spirit descended on Him in a physical appearance like a dove. And a voice came from heaven:
“You are My beloved Son.
I take delight in You!”
(Luke 3.22, HCSB)

Jesus Christ is better than angels because He is the object of worship. (v. 6)

Next the writer again quotes older Scriptures and points out that even the celestial beings are to worship Jesus, showing that He is better and more important than they are. Paul writes that one day every single creature will worship Jesus:

For this reason God highly exalted Him
and gave Him the name
that is above every name,
(10) so that at the name of Jesus
every knee will bow—
of those who are in heaven and on earth
and under the earth—
(11) and every tongue should confess
that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
(Philippians 2.9-11, HCSB)

Jesus Christ is better than angels because He is the Ruler of creation. (vv. 7-12)

Then the writer describes the distinction between Jesus and the angels as vast due to His remarkable power over all creation. He rules it with a “scepter of justice.” He has been anointed as the one who established the earth and heavens. Again, note how Paul reiterates this:

For everything was created by Him,
in heaven and on earth,
the visible and the invisible,
whether thrones or dominions
or rulers or authorities—
all things have been created through Him and for Him.
(17) He is before all things,
and by Him all things hold together.
(Colossians 1.16-17, HCSB)

Jesus Christ is better than angels because He is the King of glory. (vv. 13-14)

Simply put, verses 13-14 declare that Jesus is better because He deserves the glory, since the angels work to point people to Jesus and His saving gospel. He is the King of Glory:

Lift up your heads, you gates!
Rise up, ancient doors!
Then the King of glory will come in.
(10) Who is He, this King of glory?
The Lord of Hosts,
He is the King of glory.
(Psalm 24.9-10, HCSB)

I know Someone who showed up at just the right time and did just the right thing, once and for all.

Jesus. And He’s better than all the angels.

The Greatest of All, Part 2

Last time we began by talking about being the greatest, or at least knowing the greatest. And we looked at the biblical book of Hebrews, since its main theme is that Jesus truly is the greatest, and it was written as an encouragement and warning to keep trusting and progressing in Jesus.

In short, Jesus is better. He’s the best. He’s the greatest of all. So trust in Him.

It all begins with an amazing intro that essentially summarizes the book.

Long ago God spoke to the fathers by the prophets at different times and in different ways. (2) In these last days, He has spoken to us by His Son. God has appointed Him heir of all things and made the universe through Him. (3) The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact expression of His nature, sustaining all things by His powerful word. After making purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. (Hebrews 1.1-3, HCSB)

The writer of Hebrews says that although God spoke to humanity at different times and in various ways, in these last days He has spoken to us by a Son.

God spoke to us in a Son. His unique, amazing Son.

He really is the Greatest. Let’s look briefly at why Jesus is supreme over all, according to these first verses in Hebrews.

1. Jesus Christ is superior over all because He is the perfect messenger. (vv. 1-2)

In the first two verses the Holy Spirit inspired writer tells us that God the Father spoke in God the Son. So we see all three members of the Trinity at work here. And we are told that although the Father spoke to and through the forefathers and prophets, He has now ultimately and finally spoken in a Son. He sent the perfect messenger. Jesus perfectly fulfills and replaces the work of the forefathers and prophets since among things He is infinitely more personal and authoritative, being Himself the divine Son of God. Jesus, the perfect messenger, actually said that He only said what the Father wanted Him to say:

“For I have not spoken on My own, but the Father Himself who sent Me has given Me a command as to what I should say and what I should speak. I know that His command is eternal life. So the things that I speak, I speak just as the Father has told Me.” (John 12.49-50, HCSB)

2. Jesus Christ is superior over all because He is the perfect message. (vv. 2-3)

In addition to being the perfect messenger, Jesus is Himself the perfect message. No other supposed religious leader can even try to make this claim. Jesus is the perfect messenger of the gospel—the good news. But not only that, Jesus is Himself the good news. He is the perfect messenger and message: He Himself is the Word of God, and He came here to reveal Himself to us. John’s Gospel describes Him this way:

In the beginning was the Word,
and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
He was with God in the beginning. …
The Word became flesh
and took up residence among us.
We observed His glory,
the glory as the One and Only Son from the Father,
full of grace and truth.
(John 1.1-2, 14, HCSB)

3. Jesus Christ is superior over all because He is the perfect model. (v. 3)

Here is yet another reason is the greatest: since He is a Son, Jesus is the best example for us to see what God the Father is like. The writer of Hebrews says He is “the radiance of God’s glory and the exact expression of His nature….” If you want to see and know God, then look no further than Jesus, since He is the perfect model for us. Jesus is God, who took on skin and bones, so He gives perfect clarity for us to understand God. Notice how clearly the Apostle Paul describes Him in Colossians:

He is the image of the invisible God,
the firstborn over all creation.
(Colossians 1.15, HCSB)

4. Jesus Christ is superior over all because He is the perfect mediator. (vv. 3-4)

Even though in Jesus, the Son, we have the perfect messenger, message and model, we still cannot be with God unless He makes us clean. We need purification from sins, and verse 4 says that Jesus, our perfect mediator, does just that. He bridges the gap between God and us. He died in our place. He was raised for our justification. He brings us to God. Look at these amazing truths:

But Jesus has now obtained a superior ministry, and to that degree He is the mediator of a better covenant, which has been legally enacted on better promises. (Hebrews 8.6, HCSB)

For there is one God
and one mediator between God and humanity,
Christ Jesus, Himself human,
who gave Himself—a ransom for all,
a testimony at the proper time.
(1 Timothy 2.5-6, HCSB)

Since He is the perfect messenger, message, model, and mediator, Jesus Christ really is the Greatest.

The Greatest of All, Part 1

At times, you just have to wonder what our obsession is with being the greatest. The greatest at anything, really. As a child of the 1970s, I remember famed boxer Muhammad Ali (born Cassius Clay) being referred to as The Greatest. He is quoted as saying: “I knew I had him in the first round. Almighty God was with me. I want everyone to bear witness, I am the greatest! I'm the greatest thing that ever lived.” He later acknowledged he wasn’t the greatest thing, “just the greatest boxer.”

Still, we like to dream about being really good at something, and perhaps becoming the greatest. If we can’t be the greatest, maybe we can know the greatest. So we tend to worship the stars in Hollywood. Or the very best athletes. Or top government leaders.

In the Scriptures there are many ways that God is set apart as truly the greatest of all. And when it comes to people who have walked the face of the earth, one Man stands out above all else. He has first place in everything. He is Jesus. Look at how the Apostle Paul describes Him in the letter known as Colossians.

…He is the beginning,
the firstborn from the dead,
so that He might come to have
first place in everything.
(19) For God was pleased to have
all His fullness dwell in Him,
(20) and through Him to reconcile
everything to Himself
by making peace
through the blood of His cross—
whether things on earth or things in heaven.
(Colossians 1.18-20, HCSB)

That idea is all over the Bible, and it certainly is on display in the letter to the Hebrews. This book of the Bible is rich in helping readers to see the connection between the Hebrew Scriptures, otherwise known as the Old Testament of the Bible, and the New Testament. Originally addressed primarily to Jews who had joined the Christian faith community, the letter offers gracious warnings regarding falling away from faith in Jesus alone, by pointing out how much better Jesus is than anyone or anything.

In short, Jesus is better. He’s the best. He’s the greatest of all.

It all begins with an amazing intro that essentially summarizes the book.

Long ago God spoke to the fathers by the prophets at different times and in different ways. (2) In these last days, He has spoken to us by His Son. God has appointed Him heir of all things and made the universe through Him. (3) The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact expression of His nature, sustaining all things by His powerful word. After making purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. (Hebrews 1.1-3, HCSB)

The writer of Hebrews says that although God spoke to humanity, and to His people, at different times and in various ways, in these last days He has spoken to us by a Son.

Did you catch that? God spoke to us in a Son. His unique, amazing Son.

In the next post we’ll look briefly at how and why Jesus is supreme over all. He really is the Greatest.