The keynote to the Epistle to
the Hebrews is “consider Jesus Christ, the Son of
God, and the Messiah.” It
admonishes us to set our heart on Him. "Therefore,
holy brethren, partakers of a heavenly calling,
consider Jesus, the Apostle and High Priest of our
confession" (Hebrews 3:1).
The word “consider” (katanoeo)
literally means, “to direct one’s whole mind to an
object,” to immerse oneself in it and hence to
apprehend it in its whole compass” (TDNT).
In order to grow spiritually,
we must fix our mind on Christ.
It is imperative that we consider carefully and
understand fully the person and work of Jesus
Christ.
The word “consider” is formed
from the root of the Latin word for “star” and
originally means to contemplate with the idea of a
quiet, patient, persevering concentrated gazing in
order to study the stars.
The writer of Hebrews
admonishes his readers to gaze upon Jesus and
contemplate Him, therefore increasing our knowledge,
devotion, and faith in Him. What does he wish for us
to “consider?”
He wants us to see the
significance and thoroughly weigh the evidence of
Christ’s superiority over the prophets, angels, and
the patriarchs of Israel. Because
of the greatness of His person, the effectiveness of
His redemptive work will be pleasing to God the
Father.
The writer of Hebrews is
addressing Christians calling them “holy brethren,
partakers of a heavenly calling” (v.1).
Believers in Jesus Christ are
saints. We are “holy brethren” in our standing with
God because of the atoning sacrifice of Christ. We
are holy in Christ. It is Jesus who makes us holy.
The word “holy” in this verse is emphasizing our
position in salvation. We have
been “set apart for God.”
Christian believers are saints, set apart ones.
Sainthood does not take place in some distant
future. The believer is already a
saint because He is “in Christ.”
This perfect standing with God should be the
greatest incentive to make every effort to live a
godly life before Him (Phil. 3:14).
He has made a perfect
propitiation for the sins of His people (1 John
2:21; 4:10). The believer is holy
because God has made him so (Heb. 2:11).
We “share in the heavenly calling” because
God “is bringing “us” to glory” (2:10).
We share in Jesus Christ (Heb.3: 14; Eph.
5:30). We are “partakers of a
heavenly calling” (Heb. 4:14; 10:23).
“The call comes from heaven and is to heaven
in its appeal,” says A. T. Robertson.
Jesus Christ is both “The
Apostle and High Priest” of Christians.
Jesus is “The Apostle” because
He was sent by God the Father to be His spokesman
and revealer (Heb. 1:1-3; Jn. 3:17, 34; 5:36, 38;
6:29; 8:42; 10:36; 11:42; 13:3; Matt. 17:5; Deut.
18:15, 18). Because He is God’s
ambassador, we need to consider carefully and fully
understand what He has revealed to us about a right
relationship with God.
Jesus is also our great High
Priest (Heb. 2:17-18; 4:14). He
represents God before men and man before a holy God.
“As an apostle, He is close to me; as Priest,
He is close to God.” “God was in
Christ reconciling the world to Himself” (2Cor.
5:19).
Christianity is Christ.
Therefore it behooves us to contemplate and
meditate on Him. Lord Jesus, will
I see you today?
The Lord is not ashamed to call
us His brethren (Heb. 2: 12). May
we never be afraid or embarrassed to call Him our
Lord and Master (Matt. 10:32-33).
God has done something
marvelous for sinners. Because of our vital union
with Christ, He has imputed to us His righteousness.
We are partakers of the heavenly calling.
“What He has, we have.
Where He is, we are. He is the
Holy One of God; therefore, we are holy. He has been
made higher than the heavens; therefore, we are
partakers of the heavenly calling.”
No passing glance of Christ
will do. Understand and learn the lesson that God
wants to teach you. “Consider
attentively and thoughtfully the Apostle and High
Priest of our confession Jesus” (Wuest Expanded
Translation).
Selah!
Message by Wil Pounds (c) 2006
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Unless otherwise noted "Scripture quotations taken from the NASB."
"Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE" © Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation Used by permission." (www.Lockman.org)Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NET) are from the NET Bible copyright ©1996-2006 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://www.bible.org/. All rights reserved.
Wil is a graduate of William Carey University, B. A.; New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, Th. M.; and Azusa Pacific University, M. A. He has pastored in Panama, Ecuador and the U. S, and served for over 20 years as missionary in Ecuador and Honduras. He had a daily expository Bible teaching ministry head in over 100 countries from 1972-2005. He continues to seek opportunities to be personally involved in world missions. Wil and his wife Ann have three grown daughters. He currently serves as a Baptist pastor and teaches seminary extension courses in Ecuador.
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