Hebrews 3:1-6

1 Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus,
2 who was faithful to Him who appointed Him, as Moses also was faithful in all His house.
3 For this One has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as He who built the house has more honor than the house.
4 For every house is built by someone, but He who built all things is God.
5 And Moses indeed was faithful in all His house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which would be spoken afterward,
6 but Christ as a Son over His own house, whose house we are if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end. Heb 3:1-6

Jesus Christ is the Apostle and High Priest. The Apostle is the One who is sent from God as the heavenly delegate. Jesus is considered apostolic because He was indeed sent as an apostle, or heavenly messenger. The Highest Apostle

We are partakers of the Lord’s message in our witness of Jesus Christ. Our soul cries out the truth of what is our faith. Our heart craves that which is not seen. Jesus is the Apostle because He is the One who brought the message to end all messages. This is the crux of our Christian faith. This is the end and the means. The means is to love as Christ loved and to live unconditionally in opposition to worldly logic and reason. The very core of the message of salvation is illogical in the terms of the flesh. Jesus brought the message that we must die to live – we must discard our current life and begin a new life. We must be born anew. We are benefactors on Earth in His love and we are heirs to eternal heaven. Jesus is the Apostle and we hear His calling.

The comparison to Moses is a comparison of faiths. Moses was faithful to God in his instructed path to lead on Earth. He received and delivered God’s message so the people would know that he who delivered from the confinement of Egypt, delivered under heavenly instruction and strength. His glory was of the house but not as great as He who built the house. Jesus is the builder and died and resurrected because it is God’s will. He is the bedrock foundation of His house and the cornerstone of we who are the church. We are the virtual church with no walls. We are the church that Jesus builds therefore as it is stated, He who builds the church is greater in honor that what He builds. We are subject to the will of God therefore He is superior. We are the creation and He is our Creator therefore He is awesome.

Moses was faithful to his people as he delivered a message from heaven as Man was prepared for a message even greater. The prophets spoke of the Messiah to come. The messenger was foretold and His message was quite emphatic. Moses was the faithful among the faithful of the Israelites. He is the testimony of the truth in preparation for the one truth.

Jesus Christ is Son of His house. We hold firmly and faithful to Him rejoicing with hope to the end. Jesus Christ is our celebration. He is the cornerstone of the church and He is the cornerstone of each of our lives, homes, and families. We hold fast in confidence in this. We are subject to the temptation of one who is against our fellowship with our heavenly Father. Our heavenly Father gives us strength against this subjection. He brought the message that we no longer need to live under the influence of the temporary. We are believers of the eternal and partake in confidence and hope this message delivered on this day that we call Good Friday. Why is His death “good”? It is Good Friday because the course of humanity is changed through the death of Jesus Christ on the cross for our sins. Satan is defeated not yet banished, but our subjection to him is now over and we have the hope not only of our eternal salvation, but we rejoice in the joy of the Lord in our lives. The end and the means. Altogether one life with our Father because of the Apostle sent with a heavenly message that in His suffering all of our burdens are piled on His shoulders and He is laden with unconditional love for us. Show Him your love. Live for Jesus Christ in confidence and rejoice in God’s gift to mankind. God’s grace is in our testimony that we show through our faith and confidence. Live in this endurance provided by our Father through the One who we celebrate every day of our lives.

Rick Stassi
April 14, 2006
Good Friday