Greater than Moses

The importance of the person of Moses to all of Israelite history cannot be overstated. He was the faithful messenger of God, the instrument through which the Law was given, and the one who established the Levitical priesthood. One ancient Jewish text describes Moses as “equal in glory to the holy ones.”

Yet, just as the early chapters of Hebrews demonstrated Christ’s superiority to angels, now in chapter 3 we see His superiority to Moses as well. Our reading makes several important points of comparison. First, whereas Moses was “faithful as a servant” (v. 5), Jesus is “faithful as the Son” (v. 6). Second, whereas Moses was a “witness to what would be spoken by God in the future” (v. 5), Jesus was the message itself, the full revelation of God to the world (Heb. 1:3). Third, whereas Moses was “faithful in all God’s house” (v. 2), Jesus was the very builder of the house and “faithful as the Son over God’s house” (v. 6, emphasis added). In fact, Scripture tells us that we are the house, not an inanimate building, but a “house(hold)” of faith, “holy brothers and sisters, who share in the heavenly calling” (v. 1).

Scripture shows us not only Christ’s superiority to Moses but also His fulfillment of all that Moses established and witnessed to. The household of God established in the old covenant is completed and carried on now in the person of Jesus. It is no surprise, then, that the author of Hebrews encourages his readers to “fix your thoughts on Jesus, whom we acknowledge as our apostle and high priest” (v. 1). Jesus, sent from heaven to us (apostle) and representing us to heaven (priest), is also “our confidence and the hope in which we glory” (v. 6).

Pray with Us

Keeping our Residence Life staff in prayer today, we ask for God’s help in their work. May the Lord bless their service as they provide our students with everything they need in their life out of the classrooms.