Lighthouse scribes

Jesus, faithful Son

Again, this chapter begins with a word or phrase that is a follow-up of what we learnt in Chapter 2. We remember it is a letter, so the theme had not changed. The last verses of Chapter 2 focus on how Jesus’ sacrifice made us more than citizens of heaven. It made us God’s children. So, it’s no surprise that Chapter 3 points us to look in detail at Jesus’ person and character. Moses was a great prophet and highly revered. Through Him, God had set up the Old Covenant. The Bible tells us that he was faithful in his assignment and that Jesus was also steadfast in establishing the New Covenant. However, Christ is worthy of more glory. Moses was a servant who served faithfully, while Jesus is the Son, Lord over all, who, although God, served the will of the Father faithfully.

From Chapter 1 to this point, God was making things clear. The prophets were great; in fact, they are a part of the foundation of the New Covenant. Angels are great heavenly beings, but they worship Jesus. We are never to exalt anyone above Christ.

v6 But Christ, as the Son, is in charge of God’s entire house. And we are God’s house if we keep our courage and remain confident in our hope in Christ. In every translation we read, we will find the provision that I have highlighted, and we understand that God isn’t threatening us, even though He’s sounding a warning. These words should also serve as an encouragement to every Christian. A reminder that we are not taking a short course but a lifelong program. Are we God’s house by the price that Christ paid? Yes. However, our commitment and place in Him are demonstrated by a continuous belief in who he is and growth to be like Him.

Do we regularly do heart checks to see where we are? Do you examine, test, and evaluate your selves to see whether you are holding to your faith and showing the proper fruits of it? Many of us may say that we are still holding on to the faith, but what about the fruits? Have we developed a knack for anger and become so irritable? Have we lost our fruit of patience? Have we stopped bearing Spirit fruit? Here’s a moment to pause and ask the Holy Spirit to search your heart and speak what is true. Psalms 139:23-24.

God expects faithfulness.

As I read Hebrews 3 this week, I couldn’t help but compare this part with the parable of the talents as told in Luke 19. The Bible doesn’t tell us that the nobleman reacted in any way to those who didn’t support his kingship, at least not at that moment. The parable was focused on the attitude of those who were supposed to be a part of his kingdom. So the focus was on the servants he had entrusted with his money. When we read the parable, we will see two sets of servants: those who were faithful and the ones who had rebelled. Learnings like this humble me before the Father, because you realise again that we are going to church doesn’t mean we do not have a rebellious heart. We may even have the Father’s business in our hands or public positions of Christian leadership, yet it is not an indication of the state of our hearts. On the outside, it appeared all the Israelites followed God, but many had turned away from Him, only embracing the miracles He did in their midst. So, for a while, they partook in His wonderous works, but He did not let them get into Canaan. This one is shocking because it makes you think about every time that they whined, and God gave them what they wanted, but it didn’t mean that He was pleased with them or that they were in His will. It also makes you examine your prayers. How do you pray? What are you praying for? Are you trusting God or just complaining, yet getting His gifts?

V13. You must warn each other every day, while it is still “today,” so that none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened against God. 

Again, Christianity is not a short course. God wants us to trust Him wholly and daily. He’s not asking us to understand it; just trust Him. The Israelites were so accustomed to testing God whenever they faced a challenge. For some reason, the signs of the ten plagues weren’t enough. The splitting of the Red Sea didn’t make them devoted. Every provision of food, clothing, protection, and the pillar of cloud and fire wasn’t enough. So, it was no surprise that they couldn’t trust God about the land of Canaan. Their hearts had become hardened; they couldn’t see God for who He is. Thankfully, we can learn from them. We must be faithful to Him; it’s the only way to enter His rest.

Love,

Osi