Read or listen The Epistle to the Hebrews chapter 3 online (ESV, Bible Gateway)

Jesus, Apostle – Hebrews 3:1-6

Only in this passage in the entire New Testament is Jesus called an "apostle" (from the Greek word for sent / messenger, verse 1). In late Judaism, Moses began to be called an apostle. But the title does not only come from the comparison between Moses and Jesus, but also has the idea of ​​a call behind it: Jesus calls us to the kingdom of God. God sent Jesus so that people could get to heaven. Jesus himself often spoke of God sending him into the world for a specific mission (for example, John 6:38).

While the author stated in chapter 1 that Jesus is greater than the angels (1:5-14), here he states that Jesus is greater than Moses, whom the Jews considered the greatest man in history.

"For Jesus has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses—as much more glory as the builder of a house has more honor than the house itself."
(verse 3)

Verses 2 and 5 are based on Numbers 12:7, where God declares that he has chosen Moses—not Miriam or Aaron—to be the mediator of his will. Even the greatest honor for even the greatest man is less than the honor of Jesus. Moses was ultimately only a servant, part of God’s plan of salvation. Jesus, on the other hand, is that plan of salvation.

Moses led the people out of Egypt. Jesus will lead His people all the way to heaven. But there is a danger of getting stuck on the journey; just as the Israelites got stuck in the desert: Only the next generation entered the Promised Land (verses 16-17). It takes perseverance to get there:

"...if indeed we hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope."
(verse 6)

Verse 4 brings to mind the question of the origin of the world. It takes a great deal of faith to think that the entire universe came into being as a result of mere chance. It is easier to believe that it was created by God.

One of the medieval arguments for God relates to this: All events can be seen as the result of something that happened before. But what was the first event that started everything? What was it or who was it that set everything in motion? That "unmoved mover" is God.

Warning against unbelief – Hebrews 3:7-19

This episode is based on two Old Testament texts: Psalm 95:7-11, which is quoted in verses 7-11, and Numbers 13-14: the spying trip to the Promised Land and the subsequent disbelief and desire to return to Egypt.

The author emphasizes the importance of "this day." It is worth noting the events of Numbers: the next day the people were ready to go out to conquer the Promised Land, but by then it was too late, and God was not with them, so the battle resulted in a bitter defeat. We too should remember that many times God's promises have two parts: the promise and the "condition": what is expected of us. If we do not do what is expected of us, the promise is not valid.

When the author refers to the events of the wilderness journey, he has "translated" the place names: Massah means trial and Meribah means bitter, embittered (Exodus 17:7, compare verses 8-9).

It is important for us to note that the events of the Old Testament are not just past history, but they are history that is repeated over and over again. The first "round" took place in the time of Moses. When the Psalms were written, the people had to be warned again about rebellion against God. The third time the warning was given at the time of the writing of The Epistle to the Hebrews. The fourth time it should be given in our time. Note the author's thought on the timeliness of the Old Testament texts in Hebr 3:7: "...the Holy Spirit says" - not "said."

In the time of Moses, the people wanted to return to Egypt. The writer of The Epistle to the Hebrews had to warn his readers against returning to Judaism. We too are in danger of returning to the world. Unbelief and disobedience are not only sins of the time when the Epistle to the Hebrews was written, but they threaten Christians of all times, including us.

It is important to see that sin does not prevent us from getting to heaven, for Jesus has already atoned for all our sins. What prevents us from getting to heaven is unbelief: not accepting what Jesus has done for us (verse 19).

How can we avoid unbelief and disobedience from taking root in us?

The Bible gives us four pieces of advice:

1. We must hear and read the Word of God (verses 7 and 15)
2. We must believe the Word we hear or read
3. We must obey the Word we hear or read (compare Deuteronomy 29:28)
4. We must also spread, share the Word we hear or read. Congregational fellowship is essential (compare Hebrews 10:19-39).

A Christian must daily (verse 13) spend time with the Word of God. We cannot cope on our own in spiritual warfare, therefore we must seek strength from God daily.