Hebrews: The Daily Discipline of a Devoted LifeSample

Boxers aren’t usually known for their humility, and the most famous of them all – Cassius Marcellus Clay, who became known as Muhammad Ali following his conversion to Islam – was not known for his bashfulness. He called himself ‘the Greatest.’ While assessing greatness is always subjective, Ali’s gloves rightfully hang in the boxing Hall of Fame. Not only was he a great sportsman, but he became an icon in the 60s for refusing to go to Vietnam and eloquently proclaiming his pacifist sympathies around American universities. 

This passage is all about greatness. The writer takes the standout hero of the Jewish faith – Moses – and compares him to Christ. He does not denigrate Moses. Moses was a ‘servant’ of God (v. 5), but Jesus is the Son. Moses led the people of Israel to an earthly promised land, but Jesus is leading us to our ‘heavenly calling’ (v. 1). 

Moses rescued Israel from Egypt, but Jesus has rescued us from more ultimate enemies – sin, death and hell. Moses spilt the blood of the symbolic Passover Lamb, but Jesus has shed his own blood to redeem us. Moses led the people through the sea, but we have been baptised into Christ, and our identity is in Christ. 

Moses was the mediator, bringing the law of God to Israel. But Jesus is a greater mediator. He is our great ‘high priest’ (v. 1), who represents us before the throne of God every moment of every day. Jesus is ‘undiminished deity and perfect humanity united without confusion in one person forever’, as the Chalcedonian Creed puts it. He is our link to the Father, as we offer every prayer in his name. 

Moses was great, but Jesus is the greatest. Don’t look to anyone or anything else as your inspiration for living. Don’t look to your spouse or your children, to your career progress or your bank account. Don’t look to a sports team or a dream home. Don’t even look to the pastor or elders of your church, or some Christian teacher you listen to online who inspires you. 

People will always disappoint – even Moses struck a rock in anger and therefore was kept out of the Promised Land (Num. 20:1–13). But ‘Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and for ever’ (Hebrews 13:8). He alone is a solid rock in the midst of sinking sand. 

Reflection

Are you looking to anything outside of Jesus to give you meaning and purpose?