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Consider Him
Hebrews 3:1
In the first two chapters of Hebrews there is a very clear line of thought
developed. Following this line of thought will not only open up the book of
Hebrews to better study, but will provide great truth to change your life or
keep your life changed. Here's the way this line of thought might be outlined:
· God has spoken in His Son (1:1,2).
· His Son, Jesus, is far above angels (1:3-14).
· Therefore, we should give more earnest heed to the gospel (2:1-4).
· Though above angels, Jesus was made lower than the angels; deity became flesh,
but was exalted: "crowned with glory and honor," (2:5-8).
· The incarnation took place "so that by the grace of God He might taste death
for everyone," to "bring many sons to glory," (2:9-13).
· He frees us from the lifelong fear of death and comes to our aid (2:14-18).
This leads us to Hebrews 3:1 - "Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of a
heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the Apostle and High Priest of our
confession."
This word "consider" in this verse has no casual connotation. In modern use we
may apply the word "consider" to matters of no great importance. Or we may use
the word to indicate some passing notice or choice we might think a little
about. "Consider" in this passage means much more. This has to do with
perception far deeper than casual choices.
It means "to perceive clearly," and "to understand fully, consider closely."
Jesus said to consider the beam in your own eye (Matt. 7:3) and consider the
lilies of the field (Lk. 12:27). Later in Hebrews, Christians are admonished to
consider one another, to provoke unto love and good works (Heb. 10:24). W.E.
Vines says of the original term, "It is translated by the verbs 'behold,' Acts
7:31,32; Jas. 1:23,24; 'perceive,' Luke 20:23; 'discover," Acts 27:39."
In your Bible reading and study, little will be accomplished until you really
get serious about considering Jesus Christ. Everything in the Old Testament
points to Him. Everything in the New Testament informs us of His arrival,
showing Him to be our Savior. The preaching of the apostles was the preaching of
"Jesus Christ and Him crucified," (1 Cor. 2:2). Baptism is "into Christ," (Rom.
6:3), putting us into the Church of Christ (Acts 2:47). Those who have obeyed
the gospel are Christians (of Christ), and they live under His authority (Matt.
28:18-20). There is salvation is no other name (Acts 4:12). If you neglect the
truth about Jesus Christ, you have missed the point of the gospel. Consider Him.
He must be the object of close and serious consideration.
The exhortation in Heb. 3:1 is directed to Christians: "holy brethren,"
"partakers of a heavenly calling." The Hebrew letter was originally written to
Christians who came out of Judaism. They were being tempted to abandon Christ
and drift back into Judaism. One step they needed to take away from this
temptation was, to consider Jesus Christ; to seriously think about and discover
the value of the truth about Him.
You cannot be faithful to a Master you do not know! You cannot effectively share
a message you do not fully appreciate. You cannot relate to your brethren and
serve their needs if you do not cherish your elder brother. Consider Him.
He is "the Apostle." Jesus is the One sent by God (Jno. 3:34; 5:36-38; 20:21).
God didn't send an angel. He didn't send Moses to be our Savior. Jesus is the
One sent. Consider Him.
He is the "High Priest of our confession." Think of access to God. Jesus is our
access to God. He came "to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He
might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to
make propitiation for the sins of the people," (Heb. 2:17). "For we do not have
a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been
tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near
with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find
grace to help in time of need," (Heb. 4:15,16).
You can be a stronger, better person, as a result of every moment you spend in
serious contemplation of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Consider Him. Who is He
to you? The race God has set out before us cannot be finished without "fixing
our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set
before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right
hand of the throne of God," (Heb. 12:2).
"Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the
Apostle and High Priest of our confession."
"This verse holds up Jesus as the Apostle, High Priest and Paragon of all
religious pro-fession, the only infallible Exemplar, the universal Archetype of
the Gospel dispensation, in contradistinction to Moses in bygone ages." (W.B.
Godbey)
By Warren E. Berkley
From Expository Files 11.8; August, 2004
