For Jesus has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses—as much more glory as the builder of a house has more honor than the house itself.
Hebrews 3:1-6
Six times in our verses today, the word house appears, speaking of the house of God. A common misunderstanding among Christians, even today, is the term, the house of God, meaning a church building. A building, not even the Temple in Jerusalem, is never truly the house of God. The early church never referred to any building in that way, mainly because, the early church had no buildings, only the homes of Christians who opened them to the congregation to worship. Referencing the house of God means the people. Even the tabernacle and the temple of old was not really God’s house for God dwells among His people. It is true that the tabernacle and the temple buildings were called the house of God but it is meant only as a figure of speech. In Isaiah 66, we read the words of the Lord, saying, Heaven is my throne and earth is my footstool — where is the house which you would build for me? … All these things my hand has made. Paul, while preaching to the Athenians, reminded them that God does not dwell in temples made by hands. As Paul said those words, the temple was still standing in Jerusalem. Verse 6 clearly tells us that we, Christians, are His house. God dwells in people, in men and women, in boys and girls. That is God’s divine intention in making men. Paul refers to this in 1 Corinthians 6:19, Know you not that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit within you which you have of God? God inhabits the Christian to make him/her to be the manifestation of his life. Moses ministered as a servant to the house of God but, Christ, as the Son, now ministers in the house of God. The Son is much more to be obeyed, much more to be listened to, much more to be honored and heeded, than the servant. Moses served faithfully as a servant, always preparing things, always working in the anticipation of something yet to come. But Christ is faithful as the Son over God’s house to take over everything, to possess it, to use it however he likes. The house was made for Him. Incredibly, the Holy Spirit of God has chosen the believer’s body as His temple! Who, then, is to be worshiped? For what purpose does the Risen Christ honor us with all the resources and power of His Presence?
Source: S C Ball March 22, 2024
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