Hebrews 3:1-3, 5-6 NLT
[1] “And so, dear brothers and sisters who belong to God and are partners with those called to heaven, think carefully about this Jesus whom we declare to be God’s messenger and High Priest. [2] For he was faithful to God, who appointed him, just as Moses served faithfully when he was entrusted with God’s entire house. [3] But Jesus deserves far more glory than Moses, just as a person who builds a house deserves more praise than the house itself…
[5] Moses was certainly faithful in God’s house as a servant. His work was an illustration of the truths God would reveal later. [6] But Christ, as the Son, is in charge of God’s entire house. And we are God’s house, if we keep our courage and remain confident in our hope in Christ.”

Jesus or Moses? Which one do we trust? Which one is greater? Which one should have precedence over the other?

This was an issue for Jewish believers. They were taught from early childhood to revere Moses and obey what he instructed. Children learned to recite his writings from memory and apply them by tying them to their heads and hands.

Then, there were people who told them that someone greater than Moses had come to fulfill and overwrite Moses’ laws by new commandments. Who were they to follow?

Some followed Jesus but suffered serious consequences. They became part of the hated and persecuted people of “the Way”. Others followed for a while but the cost was too great, so they contemplated retreating back into Judaism, not realising the consequences of the backward step they were choosing to take.

What, then is the real issue? Is there a fair contest between Moses and Jesus?

Our writer lays out the contrast. Moses was a servant in God’s house.

Hebrews 3:5 NLT
[5] “Moses was certainly faithful in God’s house as a servant. His work was an illustration of the truths God would reveal later.”

He served the Lord and His people faithfully as the prophet and mediator between God and Israel. God instructed Moses, and Moses, in turn, instructed the people. God gave Moses the terms of the covenant and the plan of the tabernacle and its worship, and Moses related every detail to the people. The people failed God, and Moses stood in the gap to plead for mercy on their behalf. Moses lost his temper because of their stubborn unbelief, and he took the rap for his failure because of them.

Jesus was not a servant but a son.

Hebrews 3:6 NLT
[6] “But Christ, as the Son, is in charge of God’s entire house. And we are God’s house, if we keep our courage and remain confident in our hope in Christ.”

In the house of Israel, God (the Lord, Jesus) was in charge. Moses was the servant. In the God’s house, His church, (His people expanded to include all people of all nations), again, Jesus is in charge. Which one is greater, servant or son?

Now, the real problem for those who had retreated into Judaism was that they did not understand that they had not only stepped back under Moses’ leadership but they had also gone back into a system that never worked for Israel and…by going back, they had burnt their bridges behind them.

Going back meant that they would lose their salvation from sin, the righteousness of Jesus imputed to them, the everlasting life promised to them through Jesus’ death and resurrection, and all the present and future benefits of life in God’s forever family in fellowship with the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit, and all God’s redeemed people.

Was it worth it?

To be continued…