Next to Abraham, Moses was undoubtedly the man most greatly revered by Jewish people. To go back to the Law meant to go back to Moses, and the recipients of this letter to the Hebrews were sorely tempted to do just that. It was important that the writer convince his readers that Jesus Christ is greater than Moses, for the entire system of Jewish religion came through Moses. In the next few studies we will learn in what ways Jesus Christ is superior to Moses.

In verse 1, “holy brethren” could only be applied to people in the family of God, set apart by the grace of God. That the writer was referring to people in the church, the Body of Christ, is clear from his use of the phrase “Partakers of the heavenly calling.” No unconverted Jew or Gentile could ever claim that blessing. The word translated “partakers” here is translated “partners” in Luke 5:7, where it describes the relationship of four men in the fishing business: they were in it together. True Christians not only share in a heavenly calling, but they also share in Jesus Christ. Through the Holy Spirit, we are “members of His body, of His flesh, and of His bones (Eph. 5:30). True believers are also “partakers of the Holy Spirit” (Rom.8:9). Because we are God’s children, we also partake in God’s loving chastening. Not to be chastened is evidence that a person is not one of God’s children.

Because these people were holy brothers and sisters, and partakers of a heavenly calling, they were able to give a “confession” of their faith in Jesus Christ. It was this same confession that they were “strangers and pilgrims” on the earth that characterized men and women of faith in the ages past. It was not Moses who did all of this for the people addressed in this epistle; it was Jesus Christ! The writer did not exhort them to consider Moses, but to consider Christ.

That Christ is superior to Moses in His person is an obvious fact. Moses was a mere man, called to be a prophet and leader, while Jesus Christ is the Son of God sent by the Father into the world. The title apostle in verse 1 means “one sent with a commission.” Moses was called and commissioned by God, but Jesus Christ was sent as God’s “last Word” to sinful man. Jesus Christ is not only the Apostle, but He is also the High Priest. Moses was a prophet who on occasion served as a priest, but he was never a high priest. That title belonged to his brother Aaron. In fact, Jesus Christ has the title “great High Priest (Heb. 4:14). As the Apostle, Jesus represented God to men; and as the High Priest, He now represents men to God in heaven. Moses of course, fulfilled similar ministries, for he taught Israel God’s truth and he prayed for Israel when he met God on the mount. Moses was primarily the prophet of Law, while Jesus Christ is the Messenger of God’s grace. Moses helped prepare the way for the coming of the Savior to the earth.

The word “house” is used six times in verses 3-6. It refers to the people of God, not to a material building. Moses ministered to Israel, the people of God under the Old Covenant. Today, Christ ministers to His church, the people of God under the New Covenant (“whose house are we,” Heb. 3:6). The contrast between Moses and Christ is clear: Moses was a servant in the house, while Jesus Christ is a Son over the house. Moses was a member of the household, but Jesus built the house! By the way, the truth in these verses is a powerful argument for the deity of Jesus Christ. If God built all things, and Jesus Christ built God’s house, then Jesus Christ must be God.

There is another factor in Christ’s superiority over Moses: the Prophet Moses spoke about things to come, but Jesus Christ brought the fulfillment of these things (v. 6). Moses ministered “in the shadows,” as it were (see Heb. 8:5, 10:1), while Jesus brought the full and final light of the Gospel of grace of God.

The word “confidence” in verse 6 literally means “freedom of speech, openness.” When you are free to speak, then there is no fear and you have confidence. A believer can come with boldness to the throne of grace with openness and freedom and not be afraid. We have this boldness because of the shed blood of Jesus. Therefore we should not cast away our confidence, no matter what the circumstances might be. We should not have confidence in ourselves, because we are too prone to fail; but we should have confidence in Jesus Christ who never fails.

Because of this confidence in Christ and this confession of Christ, we can experience joy and hope (v. 6). The writer exhorted these suffering saints to enjoy their spiritual experience and not simply endure it. Jesus is the beloved Son over His house, and He will care for each member of the family. He is the faithful High Priest who provides all the grace we need for each demand of life. As the Good Shepherd of the sheep, Jesus is using the experiences in His people’s lives to equip them for service that will glorify His name. In other words, those who have trusted Christ prove this confession by their steadfastness, confidence, and joyful hope. They are not burdened by the past or threatened by the present, but are “living in the future tense” as they await the “blessed hope” of their Lord’s return. It is this “heavenly calling” that motivates the believers to keep on living for the Savior even when the going is tough.

Hebrews 3:1-6 Reflection Questions:

When the going gets tough where do you turn: yourself, the world, or to Jesus?

Do you have total 100 percent confidence in Jesus as the Good Shepherd?

Journal on a recent time you relied on Jesus.