The Builder And The Son

Over the past decade or so there has been a deluge of television shows that have made many viewers wish they had the money or the talent to build or renovate their own home. Generally, these shows follow a similar script with a home owner or buyer needing significant work done on their home and having the improvements completed by a skilled crew of workers. Architects, interior designers, and construction workers all contribute to the overall project. Usually the owner of the home has little to no input on the project once it begins and we, the viewers, get only small glimpses into the renovation and reconstruction as it takes place. The creators of the show strategically wait until the last few minutes to surprise us with the final reveal. The goal is to create a “Wow!” moment for the viewers, and most of the time the creators succeed. As the camera pans out and moves through the various spaces of the house we think, “What a beautiful home! Its layout, architecture, lighting, and furnishings are breathtaking. I wonder if they could come and renovate my house?”

The writer of Hebrews does something similar in Hebrews 3:1-6. However, his aim is not to get us starry-eyed over a beautiful house. Rather, he uses the metaphor of building and owning a house to show the power of the Builder and the authority of the Heir.

Therefore, holy brothers, you who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession, who was faithful to him who appointed him, just as Moses also was faithful in all God's house. 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. (For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God.) Now Moses was faithful in all God's house as a servant, to testify to the things that were to be spoken later, but Christ is faithful over God's house as a son. And we are his house … 

The text clearly intends us to reflect and to marvel. We are to “consider Jesus” and to exclaim, “Wow!” as we discover Him to be the superior builder and superior son. In order to evoke this reaction, the text reminds us that Jesus is faithful like the most revered and respected figure in the entire Old Testament: Moses. Both Moses and Jesus were sent (Ex 3:9-10; Gal 4:4) and both were mediators between God and His “house” (Heb 3:2; Ex 19:3-6; 1 Tim 2:5). Moses’ legacy is inseparable from God acting on behalf of His people (Num 12:7). Moses faithfully liberated God’s people out of their bondage in Egypt, faithfully delivered and administered the Law, and faithfully led Israel to the promised land. Similarly, Jesus’ work is inseparable from God acting on behalf of His people. But Jesus' faithful work is infinitely more potent. Jesus faithfully freed God’s people from more than just physical bondage, but from the spiritual shackles of sin. Furthermore, Jesus faithfully administered grace, rather than the Law God’s people were unable to keep. And finally, Jesus faithfully leads His people into their promised rest (Matt 11:28). The writer’s argument is as follows: if the man, Moses, is worthy as a servant in God’s house, how much more worthy is the God-man, Jesus, who is the builder of God’s house (Heb 3:3-5).

Jesus' role as Builder becomes even more captivating and wonderful when we remember what and who the household of God is. According to the Bible, God’s people are described as God’s dwelling place. In the Old Testament we first find God in perfect communion with Adam and Eve before the fall. Later, we see Him manifest His presence in the midst of people, dwelling in the Tabernacle and the Temple. In the New Testament, God goes beyond dwelling with His people to residing in His people. The writer of Hebrews reminds us that “We are his house” (Heb 3:6), and that Jesus is the Builder of the house. In other words, the household of God is you! 

To lift Jesus even higher in the hearts and minds of his readers, the writer proclaims that Jesus' superiority goes beyond being the Builder of God’s household to being the Son of God’s household. In other words, as the son, Jesus is also the heir (Heb 1:2). The church belongs to Him. He is the owner of God’s household. We are “living stones being built up as a spiritual house … and … a people for his possession” (1 Pet 2:5, 9). Jesus affirms this by proclaiming, “I will build my church” (Matt 16:18). To bluntly state this beautiful truth: If you believe who Jesus is and what He has done, and repent of your sin, He is yours and you are His (Mk 1:15)! 

With that in mind, we are fittingly asked to “consider Jesus”, meaning we are to observe Him fully and behold Him for who He truly is. Our Savior is the cornerstone for those who believe, but a stumbling block and rock of offense to those who reject Him. There is no in between or straddling the fence. Let us boast in our true and only hope - Jesus, our Lord and Savior!

1 Peter 2:4-9 (ESV) - As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it stands in Scripture: “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.” So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe, “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,” and “A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.” They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do. But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.