The Master Builder
“For this Man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses. For every house is builded by some man; but He that built all things is God. And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after; But Christ as a Son over His own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.” Hebrews 3:3-6
Did you ever think of yourself as a house? We all live in houses, apartments, condos, or mobile homes, but we are not the house. However, the house doesn’t make a home: it’s the people who live in the house who are responsible for making it a home. Believers are also called “the church”, but that doesn’t refer to the building with a steeple on top where we gather to worship. The “church” is made up of all those who know Christ as Lord and Savior through repentance and belief in Him. Believers are also known as the “body of Christ” which is a spiritual body made up of the same. Paul even refers to believers as making up the ears, eyes, hands, and feet of the body of Christ, arranged as God chooses, with all parts as adding to the Body (I Corinthians 12:14-18).
The writer of Hebrews compares and contrasts the faithfulness of Christ to that of Moses. Christ had complete faith that His Father would follow through on His promise to redeem man by and through Christ’s sacrifice. Moses, whom the Jews revered as one of the most respected and honored men of their forefathers, was also a man of great faith. Bringing up any of the great men of God of the Old Testament such as Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, or Moses would always attract the attention of the Jewish people. They considered these men worthy of honor because of the way they served Jehovah God. God recognized Moses for his faithfulness in dealing with God’s chosen people, His “house” (Numbers 12:7). Like Jesus, Moses bore the titles of prophet, priest, and leader. He led God’s people through the wilderness on the way to the promised land, received the law directly from God on Mt. Sinai, and interceded for God’s people when God was ready to give up on them for their murmuring and disobedience.
Even as faithful and obedient as Moses was, Christ was much greater. Moses served God’s house, but Jesus created God’s house. Moses deserved credit and recognition, but it is Jesus who made the way for the house to be built. Those who inhabit the house have nothing to contribute to its construction. A builder who constructs a fine home should be the one recognized, but it is usually the people who buy and reside in the home who receive the compliments. Moses did not build God’s house, God’s chosen people. Only God can gather people unto Himself and create a community of believers. Psalm 127:1 tells us that “Except the LORD build the house, they labor in vain that build it…” Moses was a servant; Jesus is the head of the body of believers and deserves all praise and honor.
What God made known to Moses, Moses relayed to the Hebrew people, who were not privy to a personal, intimate walk with God and thus had to rely on the words of Moses as God instructed him directly. The leading of God’s people by Moses was the foreshadowing of the time when Christ would lead the church as God’s Son. While it is true that Christ came to serve and “give His life for a ransom” (Mark 10:45), He will return to rule over His people. We are His house, His people, therefore we should exemplify that hope that lives within us in our everyday walk. To persevere in our Christian walk is to maintain our integrity in all our dealings, to love one another, and to serve Christ in all that we do. This gives evidence that we are members of Christ’s family. Since we are His house, we must hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of hope firmly until He returns, or He calls us home.
Speaking of houses, homes have become so expensive now that many folks can’t afford to buy one. The housing market is shut out for many families. It’s not fair that no one builds affordable housing anymore, but it is what it is. Jesus told us that in His Father’s house are many mansions, and He has prepared them for all of those who belong to Him (John 14:2-3). Some folks want their mansions on earth, but only the wealthiest can afford them. The mansions in heaven do not cost those who receive them anything, but it cost the Master Builder His life to provide them. No mortgage payments, no insurance, no property taxes or upkeep, but just a beautiful home with the nicest neighbors, and an awesome King to rule and reign.