11th September, 2010

BRUCE C. WEARNE

Read Hebrews 3: 1-6

Those to whom this letter was initially written have every reason to be proud of the household of which they are full members. They can wear this membership, this partnership, with great confidence. They are members of the same family; their holy membership in the household of the Almighty, prefigured by Moses' law, is confirmed for all time. They are honoured stakeholders. They will indeed "dwell all (their) days in the house of the Lord (Psalm 23: 6).

The Son, who owns the house itself, now endorses and puts what has gone before in its place (Matthew 5: 17-20).

Moses the servant, made sure that all things were in readiness for the coming of the house's Owner, the house's Builder. This reference to Moses may also be an allusion to the office held by Joseph, Egypt's Chief Executive Officer, second only to Pharaoh. In time, Moses had to move on from there when he realised that that ministry of mercy was not within his remit. He was called to be servant in another house, a house yet to be built.

But now with Christ's arrival, the work of Moses as the Lord's servant, is seen with clearer hindsight. His contribution, as servant of the Messiah, the promised ruler of all the Princes of the earth, is viewed in a new light.

The Messiah rules all in His house as older brother, just as faithful Moses would expect from the rightful inheritor of God's promises to Abraham. Moses had been sent to give to the people of Israel the Law, setting forth the mode of administration that would hold until the Messiah came. The Law indicated the path by which the people should seek their Messiah. It pointed them to His coming. But now, with His work done, the Son, as builder of the house, is given a new name; He is also the One sent, Jesus our Apostle, "the apostle and high priest of our profession" (3: 1).

Because this Person was also sent to "us" in obedience to the decree given Him from heaven, He came to "us" to confirm that our partnership in His bequest is assured. "We" are His house and so we have a hope that can be firmly grasped (3: 6). This Apostle and High Priest is the One who then sent those who heard Him and so that same good news has been confirmed with "us" (2: 3). This dual name, while binding Him to the apostles He sent, also sets Him apart, to exercise a ministry with which they could only become involved through His ongoing merciful assistance (2: 18).

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