Another warning, but first... Hebrews 3.

The bulk of chapter three is another warning -- longer and more detailed than the one in chapter two. Broadly speaking, the warning in chapter two is a warning against neglect -- drifting away. The warning in chapter three is a warning against unbelief. It's described in terms that compare rejecting the Son to the rejection of Moses by the children of Israel who left Egypt with him. And rejecting Jesus i's a more serious offense. Why did the author use this particular comparison? He used it because of the bigger point he made in the first six verses of this chapter. Yes, we have another warning in this chapter, but first...

But first the author makes an incredible statement: Jesus is worthy of greater honor than Moses. To us, this might not seem like such a big deal. Yeah, Moses led the Hebrews out of Egypt, and brought the ten commandments down from the mountain, and gave the people all the law. He's one of those big heroes in the Old Testament, like Joseph, Joshua, and David, but Jesus is God's only Son. To the Jewish people, though, Moses is not one of the heroes of their text and heritage, he is the hero. The Prophet, capital P. The Apostle, capital A. The bringer of the Law. Only Abraham might rival Moses as the most important person in their history.

So it really is a big deal. For those Christians who were hearing the siren call of their tradition, their habits, their old understanding of God's revelation, this statement had to have been a jolt to their thinking. Jesus is greater than Moses. And the writer does it so simply. Moses was a faithful servant of God, serving in God's household. But Jesus is the faithful Son, who is over the household.

Don't miss the way the author wraps this truth and personalizes it for the Hebrews, and for us. In verse one, he says, remember you're part of the family of God, set apart for His work, and think about this Jesus. In verse six, he says, remember you're the household that Christ is the son over, if you are courageous and confident in the hope Christ brings. Actually, he doesn't say "you", he says "we". We are to be bold and confident.