Hebrews 3:1-14 makes a clear distinction between Christ and the prophets. Moses was amazing, but Christ is God. Moses would agree that the Builder is better than the building.
And so, dear brothers and sisters who belong to God and are partners with those called to heaven, think carefully about this Jesus whom we declare to be God’s messenger and High Priest. For he was faithful to God, who appointed him, just as Moses served faithfully when he was entrusted with God’s entire house.
But Jesus deserves far more glory than Moses, just as a person who builds a house deserves more praise than the house itself. For every house has a builder, but the one who built everything is God.
Moses was certainly faithful in God’s house as a servant. His work was an illustration of the truths God would reveal later. 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. (NLT)
Churches, pastors, and teachers are wonderful and deserve our praises, but we must keep them in their proper places. God deserves more praise than His houses, messengers, and teachers, and He must get all the glory. He is the Builder, and His Son is in charge of His entire house. It’s human nature to want something concrete to worship, but Paul is warning us not to get the building and the builder confused. The Builder loves His buildings, and He dearly loves His messengers and teachers. He wants us to have a loving church family and home. He created us for community, and we are lost without a connection to fellow believers.
A friend of mine has a relative battling cancer, and she told me she didn’t know how she will do it without the support of a loving church family. I agreed and am thankful to have close connections to many who love God along side me. I would surely be adrift without them. I thank God for faithful servants who illustrate God’s truth in a way that brings me nearer to Him, and there is nothing I love more than studying God’s Word and sharing Christ’s love with others.
Paul knew how quickly glory goes from God to other. It was, is, and will always be a problem with His children. When focus is on buildings instead of the Builder, they take on their own lives and compete for attention. Separation and competition quickly replace unity and cooperation.
There’s nothing wrong with a beautiful building or an eloquent teacher as long as they give glory to the Master Builder. Even with a small, simple building, there’s a tendency to claim ownership. No building or minister is immune to the problem Paul addresses. We all must be mindful when it comes to giving credit and glory where it is due. Claiming to be simple and humble is no nobler than claiming to be big and beautiful.
Most importantly, I need to remember that my body is His house. Verse 14 says it well, “And we are God’s house, if we keep our courage and remain confident in our hope in Christ.” Amen to that!!
journeywithgigi 