Category: Jesus
Subject: Jesus
Moses and Jesus – Servant and Son
“Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus, 2 who was faithful to Him who appointed Him, as Moses also was faithful in all His house. 3 For this One has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as He who built the house has more honor than the house. 4 For every house is built by someone, but He who built all things is God. 5 And Moses indeed was faithful in all His house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which would be spoken afterward, 6 but Christ as a Son over His own house, whose house we are if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end” (Hebrews 3:1-6).
The book of Hebrews seeks to contrast all that surrounds Christ and His covenant with what came before. In every comparison made, Christ, and all that surrounds His life, ministry, death, covenant and body is better. It is fuller, more powerful, more important, more effective, more sublime.
The reason for this comparison was that Jews who had accepted Jesus as their Christ and Lord were reluctant to move on from the Law of Moses. This was unfortunate, and something that put their standing with God in jeopardy. This the writer made clear: “For on the one hand there is an annulling of the former commandment because of its weakness and unprofitableness, 19 for the law made nothing perfect; on the other hand, there is the bring in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God” (Hebrews 7:18-19).
One of the obvious comparisons would be between Moses and Jesus. Moses was the lawgiver. He would be considered by the Jews as the most important messenger from God. He was given the responsibility of shepherding Israel out of Egyptian bondage, leading them through the wilderness for a generation, and ushering them to the borders of Canaan. In all ways Moses was “faithful in His house” (Hebrews 3:2). Whose house? Not his own. Moses was a servant in the house of God.
The distinction is easy to see. “He who built the house has more honor than the house” (3). There is a great deal of difference between the Master of the house, its owner — and the servant. Jesus Christ is “a Son over His own house” (6) in contrast to the position of faithful servant attributed to Moses.
- Moses was a prophet, Jesus is the Son. “God, who at various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, 2 has in these last days spoken to us by His Son” (1:1-2).
- Moses’ covenant was ushered in on the blood of animals, Jesus’ on His own blood. “For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins” (10:4). “Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate” (13:12).
- No justification was to be found under Moses’ law, it comes through faith in Christ. “Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin. 21 But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22 even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe…” (Romans 3:20-22).
- The intent of Moses’ law was to precede “those things which would be spoken afterward” (3:5), but Christ’s law is that which was spoken last (1:2). “But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed. 24 Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25 But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor” (Galatians 3:23-25).
- The Law of Moses ushered in an inferior priesthood to Christ, who is our High Priest after the order of Melchizedek. “But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. 12 Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. 13 For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, 14 how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?” (Hebrews 9:11-14).
It is disheartening that even in our time religious people do not understand the significance of this contrast. There is a desire to make the appeal to the Law of Moses for authority and standing, not knowing that it abrogates our justification by faith in Christ Jesus. “You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.” (Galatians 5:4). There is a difference between Moses and Jesus—The servant and the SON!
The Hour Has Come
In John 17 we have recorded the prayer Jesus prayed to His Father in heaven, just before He was accosted and arrested in the Garden of Eden. Best estimates put His time of death between 12 and 15 hours later. As Jesus began His prayer to God, He said, “Father, the hour has come.” (17:1).
Consider that the events which culminated in Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, securing the possibility of redemption to all sinners, had been in God’s mind since before the beginning of the universe.
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, 4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, 5 having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, 6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved. 7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace” (Ephesians 1:3-7). Continue reading “The Hour Has Come”
Sermon: The Names of Jesus
There are numerous titles used to refer the Jesus. We discuss words like Master, Lord, Messiah/Christ, Savior and Lamb of God, to show their meaning, and significance to Christians.
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Mining the Scriptures: Matthew 2:7-12
King Herod desired the destruction of his perceived rival, the prophesied Son of David. His instructions in our text were a ruse to enable him to assassinate the child. This is evident from verses 16-18.
We see the inability of men to accomplish any intent that God determines will not happen. The wise men departed in accord with Herod’s instructions, and did indeed find the child. They rejoiced, and worshiped Jesus, knowing He was the prophesied Savior. They shared gifts with the child. (Note: The fact that there are three gifts mentioned does not necessarily indicate three wise men. The traditions concerning the number and names of the wise men are merely speculation, not from scripture).
God defeated Herod’s plan by warning the wise men not to return to Herod. And so they returned to their own country rather than returning to Herod with the location of the child. No man, no matter how powerful, is able to thwart God’s scheme for redeeming man!
“Then Job answered the Lord and said: ‘I know that You can do everything, and that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You’” (Job 42:1-2).
Sermon: God’s Covenant with Abraham
First in a series of lessons dealing with principles of Authority. God’s covenant with Abraham establishes the promises God made an fulfilled, ending with the establishment of Jesus Christ as Lord and Christ. (Note: The video consists only of the slides and audio. Video of the speaker was not available).
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The Preeminence of Jesus Christ
Early in his epistle, Paul encouraged the Christians in Colosse to “walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him” (Colossians 1:10). A question to be asked, “Why are the Father and His Son Jesus Christ deserving of such faithfulness?” Paul answers the question in this text.
Jesus strengthens His disciples with His own glorious power, giving them might, patience, longersuffering and joy (11). Other passages confirm this same truth. Paul wrote, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). He affirmed in Ephesians 6 that by utilizing the protections afforded by the Lord (the armor of God), we can “quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one” (16). Having done all, the Christian can stand with Jesus’ help (cf. 13).
Sermon: The Scarlet Thread of Redemption
God’s plan for redeeming man runs throughout the entirety of the Bible, tying all of the books from Genesis to Revelation together. An overview of that plan is discussed.
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Sermon: The Suffering Savior
The Jews in the first century had a mistaken view of the coming Messiah. They believed in the restoration of a physical kingdom, and a defeat of Rome. The scriptures taught the necessity of a suffering Savior.
Sermon: He Will Teach You All Things
A discussion of Jesus’ promise to send the Holy Spirit to aid the apostles in their work following His death. (John 14)
Sermon: We Will Come to Him
A discussion of Jesus’ conversation with His disciples in John 14:19-24. The text emphasizes the relationship Jesus would have with them in His kingdom.
Sermon: In My Father’s House are Many Mansions
In lesson 35 of the series, the discussion centers on the first 6 verses of Jesus’ address to His disciples on the night of His betrayal. (John 14:1-6).
Sermon: A New Commandment
Jesus gave a new commandment to His disciples in John 13:31-38. This lesson discusses that commandment, and His conversation with Peter.
Sermon: He Who Sees Me Sees Him
Jesus’ lays claim to his Deity by describing the relationship He had with the Father. He is the light of the world, and fulfilled in His life, His Father’s will.
Sermon: Hear Him!
A study of the transfiguration of Jesus, recorded in Luke 9, establishing the major truth – that God wants us to hear His Son in these final days.
Sermon: I Am the Son of God
Jesus’ claim to be the Son of God is true, and verified by the works that He did while on earth. This truth is established in John 10:22-39
