“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. For he was faithful to God, who appointed him, just as Moses served faithfully when he was entrusted with God’s entire house. But Jesus deserves far more glory than Moses, just as a person who builds a house deserves more praise than the house itself. For every house has a builder, but the one who built everything is God.”
Chapter 3 starts with “And so…” which is a noteworthy transition from a couple heavy hitting chapters we’ve read so far. Essentially, the author is saying, “Because of all the claims I have made about God’s relationship with Jesus, angels, and humans…” And what is the challenge laid before us? To think carefully about “this Jesus.” If you are being so bold as to declare that Jesus is God’s messenger, our faithful and ultimate high priest, and even God himself who created all things (see Hebrews 1:2), then you better have thought through the magnitude of what you are saying.
We enter in another character to the scene as we consider Jesus’ place in Israel’s history: Moses. Maybe Jesus was just another great leader like Moses. Nope. Jesus deserves the fullness of God’s glory because of the attributes that we have already described. Moses didn’t create the universe. Jesus did that. And in case you were still unclear about whether the author is really saying that Jesus is God, we have this statement: “The one who built everything is God.” The logical flow is unmistakable. Jesus created all things, he is like the builder where Moses is just the house, and the one who built everything is God.
Whether you are a follower of Jesus right now or not, you have to do something with him. The Bible’s claims about him are radical and audacious. Secular history establishes him as an actual historical figure who did miracles as described in the Bible. Historians of the day recorded that some called Jesus the “Messiah.” If you have any interest in seeking what is really true about our universe and the spiritual realm, you have to do something with “this Jesus.” Take a good, careful look at exactly who he is. Because at the end of the day, you are either following him or walking away. And there are real and eternal consequences to that decision. Think carefully.