Hebrews 3:1-2 Consider . . . Really Consider

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 . . .   Hebrews 3:1-2, ESV.
 
Road signs are important. When we are driving, we need to know the rules of the road (without stop signs, things might get messy at intersections). We need to know which exit leads to our destination (miss the Thompsontown exit on 322 West and you are stuck on the highway until Port Royal). Road signs are important, but how many of us can say we actually read and consider every one of them? How can we when we are singing so exuberantly with the radio, deep in thought about what awaits us at our destination, or involved in a deep conversation with the person in the passenger seat?
 
In the study of Hebrews, the first two verses of Hebrews 3 are often passed over like a familiar road sign. We jump so quickly from the chapter 2 theme of “Jesus is greater than angels” theme to the chapter 3 theme of “Jesus is greater than Moses” that we miss the content in these verses altogether. That is a shame. There is something here for us.
 
These verses remind us of who we are: We are “holy brothers who share in a heavenly calling.” There is a plural here that we dare not miss. This is not just a word to me, but a word to us. We are the family set apart to God based on the fact that God has called us from heaven and to heaven. We are God’s children by God’s grace.
 
These verses fix our eyes upon Jesus. We are to “consider Jesus.” We are to settle our thoughts on Him. How easy it is for us to fail in this command! We are often distracted by the things of daily living, even when we are required to stay home. We are also distracted by the traditions of our religion. Sometimes we even get directed in our desire to do good. But we are called heavenward and we need to set our eyes on the man of Heaven, Jesus. We need to settle our minds on Him.
 
These verses remind us once more of who Jesus is. He is our apostle. Calling us back to 1:1-2, we need to remember that Jesus is the last days word spoken by God. He is also the high priest of our confession. The content of our faith is defined by the fact that Jesus is the source of our atonement, the one who sacrificed that we might be forgiven of our sin. He is also God’s faithful Son. The Son of God was obedient to His Father as He humbled Himself to take on the nature of man. He obeyed His Father as He resisted every temptation to Sin. He obeyed His Father as He taught the Word. He obeyed His Father as He suffered and died for sinners. He obeyed His Father as He defeated death and the grave. This is the Jesus we are to fix our minds upon.
 
Find some time to stop and consider Jesus today! Do it alone or in a group. Do it inside or outside. Do it quietly or while singing loudly. Do it with your Bible open or on your knees in prayer. 
 
May God bless you with a mind set on Jesus today.
 
Pastor Don