Introduction
Faith in Christ is always contested. Ideologies clash, worldviews collide, and truth claims compete for allegiance in the marketplace of ideas, tempting Christians to abandon Christ for His rivals. This is the primary pastoral concern that Hebrews was written to address. The original recipients were being tempted by suffering and social pressure to turn away from Christ and go back to Judaism. Hebrews, then, is to show the supremacy of Christ over every rival claim and to urge Christians to persevere in wholehearted allegiance to Jesus.
Text: Read Hebrews 3:1-6 and pray.
Passage Summary: As the Hebrews were tempted to go back to Judaism, Hebrews 3:1-6 reminds them that Jesus is greater than Moses. While Moses was certainly one of God’s most faithful servants (vv 2, 5), Jesus is the great high priest and Son of God (vv 1-2, 6). Therefore, believers are called to hold firmly to Christ and so share in the blessings of God’s household.
Discussion Questions
1. “Holy brothers…who share in a heavenly calling” (1). This passage, which urges the Hebrews to hold fast to Jesus rather than return to Judaism, begins with a reminder of their identity and calling. The title “holy brothers” highlights that through Christ they have been adopted into God’s family (cf. 3:12; 10:19; 13:22) and set apart as His holy people on earth. As such, they share in a “heavenly calling” to make Christ’s Kingdom visible on earth as it is in heaven (cf. Matt. 6:10). Like the Hebrews, we too are tempted to turn from Christ toward lesser rivals—the desires of the flesh, the lure of the eyes, and the pride of life.
Why does our identity in Christ matter so much? And how does remembering who we are help us hold fast to Him?
2. “Jesus has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses…” (3). As the Hebrews were tempted to abandon Christ and go back to Judaism, this passage reminds them that Jesus and the new covenant are far superior to Moses and the old covenant. While Moses was a prophet who spoke of glorious things to come, Jesus was the fulfillment of all that Moses prophesied. While Moses was faithful as a servant of God, Jesus is faithful as the Son of God. And while Moses was a servant in God’s house, Jesus is the Son who rules over God’s house.
In our modern world, there are many “rivals” that tempt us away from Christ. What are some of these rivals, and how is Jesus better?
3. “And we are his house, if indeed we hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope” (6). The author of Hebrews ends this section by declaring that we belong to the household of Jesus “if indeed” we hold fast our confidence in Christ and our boasting in his salvation. The words “if indeed” indicate that membership in Christ’s household is conditioned upon persevering faith and trust in Christ. As a group, read Colossians 1:21-23. Here, Paul uses the words “if indeed” to say the same thing as the author of Hebrews.
How do you understand the security of the Christian rooted in God’s grace, on the one hand, and the necessity of perseverance, on the other hand? And what practices and habits can you place in your life to ensure that you “hold fast” to Christ until the end?
Close in Prayer
End your time in prayer by confessing and forsaking any “rivals” you have given your heart to. Ask God for fresh grace to hold fast to Christ and to treasure him above all things.