Workers building a timber-frame house in a rural wooded landscape
Availability, Bible, Building, Hebrews, Imperishable, Perfection, Scripture

THE BUILDER OF ALL THINGS

HEBREWS 3:4

“For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God.”

I have had the privilege to travel a good bit internationally over the years, and one thing I have noticed is the very different styles of buildings in every country. Let me give you one example of two different styles. In the rural villages of Uganda, most houses are built using homemade bricks made of clay. They are large bricks but not as big as cinderblocks. However, in Kenya, you will see the larger blocks made of a grayish material. Both use the available resources to build their homes. I wonder if Ugandans would like the Kenyan style or vice versa.

The point of the verse today is that God is “the builder of all things.” The word “builder” is the same word we saw in yesterday’s blog, kataskeuazó, which is more of like the architect, the planner, rather than the physical builder. The literal Greek reads much different than our translation above. It would read, “Indeed, every house is built by someone; the One however everything having built (is) God.” The phrase “having built” is an Aorist (factual event, one time) Participle (which describes God).

ASK QUESTIONS (Command to Obey, Promise to claim, Sin to avoid, Application to make, Something new about God)

What is the writer trying to tell us in this verse? I don’t think he is telling us not to build. He says, “For every house is built by someone.” We all have building to do. In my ministry, I am always praying for the Lord to use me to build into the lives of other men to lead them to be disciple makers so they too can build into the lives of other men. We call that generational growth. So, what do I see in this verse? An Application to make and maybe even a Command to Obey.

Another thing I notice is God is just like those Ugandans or Kenyans. He uses the available resources. 1 Corinthians 3:9 says,
“For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building.” Now, let me ask you a question. If we are called “God’s building,” do you think He would use faulty materials? No way. He would only use the finest available. He has chosen to build us. We are even called “living stones” in 1 Peter 2:5. “you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”

The next time you drive by a construction site, take a look at the materials gathered. Some builders aren’t as honest as others and will try to cut corners to save money, risking the integrity of the structure. Satan will also build things that look legit until tested. Trust the Great Architect Who builds all. I promise His building plans are perfect.

Thank You, Father, for building me into Your image which is perfect.

Standard
Architectural floor plans with drafting tools, coffee, and rolled blueprints on a wooden table
Bible, Building, Hebrews, Plan, Salvation, Scripture

THE BUILDER OF THE HOUSE

HEBREWS 3:3

“For He has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses, by just so much as the builder of the house has more honor than the house.”

I have an uncle who has been drawing house plans for well over 50 years. He is 82 and still working. He has thousands of house plans on file. Some of those have been built more than once while others were a one time job. He is very detailed and still reads the state building codes as he builds. He knows every building that is built according to one of his plans must pass by all the engineering and building codes.

We see the comparison of Jesus and Moses once again. While Moses was highly revered by all Jews, he paled in comparison to Jesus. The writer says Jesus is “counted worthy of more glory than Moses.” Moses was used by God to lead the Jewish nation at a time when they were under great distress. And although he may have given them physical salvation from the slavery of Egypt, he could not offer them spiritual salvation from the slavery of sin. That job was already taken.

ASK QUESTIONS (Command to Obey, Promise to claim, Sin to avoid, Application to make, Something new about God)

The Something new about God I see in today’s verse is the fact that Jesus is the architect of our salvation. In fact, the Greek word used here for “builder” is not the one you may expect. It’s kataskeuazó, not the normal word oikodomo, which is used for a formal, material building. The Topical Lexicon says kataskeuazó “consistently portrays purposeful preparation or construction carried out so that God’s redemptive purposes can advance unhindered. Whether the work is performed by God, by His appointed servants, or by faithful believers, each occurrence underscores His sovereign intention to ready people, places, and plans for His glory.”

In Matthew 11:10, Mark 1:2 and Luke 7:27 this word is used to describe John the Baptist by Jesus Himself. He said, “‘WHO WILL PREPARE YOUR WAY BEFORE YOU.’” We’ll see it used five more times in Hebrews 3:4; 9:2,6; 11:7. Listen, this isn’t a sword drill competition, but I encourage you to look up each of those verses. What is the Lord saying here? I believe it is clear. Jesus doesn’t not do anything without a plan. Every action He has ever taken had a purpose. We get in the way of that when we refuse to yield to His building plan. Jesus will not force us to comply.

I have often thought how much better it would be if Jesus made all my decisions for me and all I had to do was follow afterwards. He has actually done that through His Word. Every decision we face can be guided by His Word. This, however, requires us to spend time in the Word daily. Study to show thyself approved we are told. Amen?

Thank You Lord for being the wise master builder in my life. Help me point all the glory to You.

Standard
Weathered wooden sign reading “FAITHFUL TO THE END” outside a church
Bible, Calling, Faith, Faithfulness, Hebrews, Scripture, Trust

ALWAYS FAITHFUL

HEBREWS 3:2

“He was faithful to Him who appointed Him, as Moses also was in all His house.”

Faithfulness! Let me ask you a question. Are you a faithful person? I don’t mean just in your faith in Christ. I am talking about your faithfulness to family and friends, even coworkers. Faithfulness is more than just a buzzword. Faithfulness requires action. We live out our faithfulness to God and others by the way we live.

The writer of Hebrews describes Jesus as being “faithful to Him who appointed Him.” Who was that? Of course, that was His Father Who had sent Him on a mission to redeem mankind. Benson writes in his commentary, “Faithfulness respects trust. Our Lord, therefore, must have had a trust committed to him wherein he was faithful. Accordingly, he sought not his own glory, but the glory of him that sent him; declaring that he came not in his own, but in his Father’s name, John 5:43. He moreover sealed that truth with his blood, which he came into the world to bear witness to, John 18:37; and greater faithfulness could not be expressed.” We’ll look at those verses in a bit.

ASK QUESTIONS (Command to Obey, Promise to claim, Sin to avoid, Application to make, Something new about God)

In this verse I see a clear Application to make. Just as Jesus was faithful to His calling, we must be faithful to our calling. The verse referenced above, John 5:43, says, “‘I have come in My Father’s name, and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own name, you will receive him.” Read that again. Just as Jesus obeyed the Father and was rejected, so will we be. Just because you are faithful, that does not mean you will be accepted. In our world today, faithfulness to God will almost certainly get you rejected.

John 18:37 is in the passage where Jesus is standing before Pilate. When Pilate asks Him if He is a king, Jesus answered, “‘You say correctly that I am a king. For this purpose I have been born, and for this I have come into the world: to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to My voice.’” We have the same purpose – testify to the truth. And those who are “of the truth” will listen. Remain faithful.

Isn’t it amazing what you can get out of one verse of Scripture? I am blown away every day when I turn to the Word. I am home this week recovering from an emergency surgery last Friday. I’m good, but it reminded once again of His faithfulness over me. Thank Him today for that.

I am eternal thankful for Your faithfulness. Help me exhibit the same faithfulness.

Standard
Weathered wooden cross on a rocky mountain summit at sunset
Bible, Calling, Hebrews, Holy, Scripture, Think

CONSIDER THIS

HEBREWS 3:1

“Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession: Jesus;”

I like to look at things closely and really analyze the pros and cons before deciding. Let me give you an example – our trash service. As a full time missionary, I watch our budget expenses each month and try to hold down unnecessary expenditures. Our trash service rate had gradually increased over the past several months, so I called the company. Guess what? They lowered our rate by $10 a month. But it took me looking at this bill closely and following up.

I love how the writer of Hebrews addresses us a “holy brothers and sisters, partakers of a heavenly calling.” Isn’t that rich? To be called holy is one thing but then he goes on to say more. I believe Barnes says it well. “The ‘heavenly calling’ denotes the calling which was given to them from heaven, or which was of a heavenly nature. It pertained to heaven, not to earth; it came from heaven, not from earth; it was a calling to the reward and happiness of heaven, and not to the pleasures and honors of the world.” Woo-hoo!

ASK QUESTIONS (Command to Obey, Promise to claim, Sin to avoid, Application to make, Something new about God)

Do you see the Command to Obey? The verb there, “consider,” is an Imperative which means it’s a command. Interestingly enough, it’s also in the Aorist Tense which implies a simple and complete act and not an ongoing action. What does that mean. I think the Holy Spirit is telling us we don’t have to keep wondering about Jesus. What is stated is truth, and that settles it. Right?

The Greek word for “consider” is katanoéō “(from katá, ‘down along, exactly according to’ and noiéō, ‘to think’) – properly, to think from up to down, to a conclusion; to consider exactly, attentively (decisively); to concentrate by fixing one’s thinking ‘to perceive clearly’ (kata, intensive), ‘to understand fully, consider closely.’” Do you get that? I am not saying we will ever fully understand Jesus. But I am saying that He will reveal Himself to you as you yield to Him more fully. I’ve said it before – Jesus isn’t playing hide-and-seek from us.

So, today consider Jesus! Think on Him! Don’t waste your time on the things of this world that really don’t matter. Sure, we have to live in this world, but we are not to have our minds focused on it. Amen? I pray you discover one new truth about Jesus today.

Thank You, Father, for revealing Your Son to us as we consider Who He is and what He has done.

Standard
Customer browsing a café pastry case filled with cakes and macarons
Bible, Hebrews, Perfection, Scripture, Sin, Suffering, Temptations

TEMPTATIONS

HEBREWS 2:18

“For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted.”

I once had a friend who was discipler of men until the day he passed into Glory. I will never forget we were in a meeting with some other men and were discussing purity and the temptations of the flesh. At the time, my friend was 86 or 87 years old. Someone asked him, “Does this ever end?” He humbly and gently said, “Men, the temptations of the flesh never end, but we do learn how to resist them better each day we surrender.” I have shared that story several times with men who thought they could forever quash those temptations.

Today’s verse is similar to Hebrews 4:15 which says, “For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things just as we are, yet without sin.” The Greek word “tempted” is the same in both verses. It means to be tried or tested. It can be in a negative way (which the Lord would never do) or a positive way (which the Lord often uses to grow us).

ASK QUESTIONS (Command to Obey, Promise to claim, Sin to avoid, Application to make, Something new about God)

In this verse we have a Promise to claim, a Sin to avoid, an Application to make, and Something new about God. The Promise to claim is that Jesus will come to our aid in our temptations. But we have to call on Him. We can’t choose to sin and then cry that He didn’t help us. This is a proactive decision. Before you sin, when you are tempted cry out to Him and He promises to deliver.

A Sin to avoid is obvious. Don’t yield to temptation. Jesus has shown us through His sinless life that it is possible. Think of the suffering He endured and yet He did not yield to the temptation to react. Do you remember the temptations He faced in the wilderness by Satan himself? Who was going to know? He was all by Himself out there. Is that an excuse you have used?

An Application to make is given us by showing us the possibility of refraining from temptation. If you are like me, you are faced with temptations every day. It may be in how you talk to your spouse or children. It may be in refraining from talking badly about someone. We can apply this verse to our life every day.

Something new about God is a reminder of the fact that our God, our Savior is sinless perfection. There is not a shred of sin in His life, never has been and never will be. We will not reach sinless perfection in this lifetime. We will be able to experience that in heaven one day.

Today, give thanks to the Lord for His sinless perfection in the midst of suffering and for His example to us of how to live our lives daily.

O Lord, You are beautiful beyond description, too marvelous for words because You are perfectly sinless.

Standard
Biblical high priest holding a smoking censer inside an ornate sanctuary
Appeasement, Bible, Forgiveness, Hebrews, Propitiation, Reconciled, Scripture, Wrath

TO RECONCILE

HEBREWS 2:17

“Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brothers so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.”

We are living in a day where thousands of families are suffering from estrangement from family members. I truly believe this is a work of Satan. He knows if he can attack and destroy families, especially Christian families, he can destroy the church. Unfortunately, our mental health field has flamed this wildfire into a frenzy. The only hope is repentance and reconciliation through our Lord. No amount of counseling will heal these wounds.

Jesus came for one purpose – to reconcile mankind back to the Father. We see this so clearly in today’s verse. The writer says Jesus became “a merciful and faithful high priest” in order “to make propitiation for the sins of the people.” The verb “make propitiation” only occurs here and in Luke 18:13 where it says, “God be merciful to me a sinner.” This is the passage where the tax collector is beating his chest and praying to the Father. He knew and we know that our only source of forgiveness is from Him and we can do nothing to earn it.

ASK QUESTIONS (Command to Obey, Promise to claim, Sin to avoid, Application to make, Something new about God)

The Promise to claim is apparent. Christ has done this for us. The Greek word is hilaskomai. HELPS Word-studies says this word means “to extend propitiation, showing mercy by satisfying (literally, propitiating) the wrath of God on sin.” We all need mercy in this regard. There is nothing we could have ever done to appease God’s wrath. Only Jesus could do that.

This word appears in the noun form in two places in the New Testament. Both occur in 1 John. The first is 1 John 2:2 which says, “and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.” Two chapters later, John writes in 1 John 4:10, “In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.”

As followers of Christ, we will never face the wrath of God. But pity the souls who never turn to Jesus in this lifetime. They will feel the full weight of their sins one day. They may think they are skating by right now, but there will be a pay day someday. Aren’t you thankful your debt has been paid? Aren’t you glad Jesus has appeased God’s wrath on your behalf? If so, live like it. Live with a lifestyle of gratitude.

Words can never fully express my gratitude to You for my salvation through Jesus. Help me to live a life of gratitude.

Standard
Sleeping newborn in a straw-filled manger with Mary, Joseph, and animals nearby
Angels, Bible, Hebrews, Helping, Humanity, Salvation, Scripture

NOT LIKE THE ANGELS

HEBREWS 2:16

“For clearly He does not give help to angels, but He gives help to the descendants of Abraham.”

Some people just don’t need your help, do they? You could offer all the help in the world, and they would decline it because they don’t see themselves as needing anything. I find that is true especially among the lost. And if they are affluent, they sure don’t think they need any help at all. I hate to bear it to them, but we all need help.

Today’s verse is a little puzzling at first read. Was the writer saying that Jesus didn’t help the angels but instead helped mankind? That is part of it, for sure, but that is not all of it. One scholar says, “the meaning is, that He did not seize the nature of angels, or take it to Himself with reference to rendering ‘them’ aid, but He assumed the nature of man – in order to aid ‘him.’ He undertook the work of human redemption, and consequently it was necessary for Him to be man.” (Barnes’ Notes on the Bible)

ASK QUESTIONS (Command to Obey, Promise to claim, Sin to avoid, Application to make, Something new about God)

Let’s call this verse Something new about God. God could have sent Jesus to earth in His heavenly form, and millions would have immediately fallen at His feet in fear. He could have appeared with the heavenly host in Bethlehem announcing God’s wrath upon all men unless they bowed to Him. But instead of taking that form, He chose the form of man. He came as a baby.

Philippians 2:5-8 spells this out very clearly, “5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, as He already existed in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but emptied Himself by taking the form of a bond-servant and being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death: death on a cross.”

Aren’t you glad He chose to come like us? He not only appeared in human form, but He also came as a helpless baby born in a manger. God could have sent Him into Herod’s palace, but He chose to place His seed in a young virgin Jewish girl betrothed to a carpenter. God followed the lineage proclaimed throughout Scripture and not a Hollywood script that would have made a “bigger” story. Never underestimate the lowliness of our Savior. It was a chosen position for a specific purpose – so He could relate to everyone.

Lord, Your plans are always perfect and for that I praise You.

Standard
Martyrs singing hymns in the Coliseum
Bible, Death, Eternity, Freedom, Grace, Hebrews, Scripture

DYING GRACE ON DYING DAYS

HEBREWS 2:15

“and free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives.”

My late brother-in-law, Dr. Wayne Barber, used to employ those words at funerals. As a pastor, he quite often was with Christians as they prepared to give up this earthly vessel. He would comment on the peace these believers had at the very doors of death and would say they received the grace they needed on that day, thus, dying grace on dying days.

The writer of Hebrews continues to alleviate the fears of death for us as believers at the prospect of dying physically. Barnes says it well in his commentary on this verse. “The dread of death may be removed by the work of Christ, and they who had been subject to constant alarms on account of it may be brought to look on it with calmness and peace; and ultimately they will be brought to a world where it will be wholly unknown…Death conducts them to heaven. A Christian has nothing to fear in death; nothing beyond the grave. In no part of the universe has he anything to dread, for God is his friend, and he will be his Protector everywhere. On the dying bed; in the grave; on the way up to the judgment; at the solemn tribunal; and in the eternal world, he is under the eye and the protection of his Saviour – and of what should he be afraid?” That pretty much sums it up, don’t you think?

ASK QUESTIONS (Command to Obey, Promise to claim, Sin to avoid, Application to make, Something new about God)

May I suggest that there is a Command to Obey here? While it may not be spelled out that abruptly in the text, I believe we are told here, “Do Not Fear!” Oh, don’t those words stir up verses in your head? In Joshua 1:9, the Lord told Joshua, “‘Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not be terrified nor dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.’” That still applies to us today, even on the deathbed. The Lord will accompany you in those final breaths.

The reference to “slavery” in our text has to do with the way many feared death. They were in bondage to the fear surrounding it. Remember, many of these believers were under constant threat of persecution or even death. But I have a picture in my mind of the early martyrs who huddled together and sang hymns while they were in the Coliseum waiting to be killed by lions. That is truly dying grace on dying days.

We are all mortal. We will all succumb to death at some point unless the Lord returns. We, however, as followers of Christ are free from the shackles of death. We embrace it knowing we will see Jesus face to face. Do not fear, beloved, the Lord is with you.

Words cannot express the peace that is ours when we embrace death as a follower of Christ.

Standard
Radiant cross above an open stone tomb overlooking a sunlit valley
Bible, Destroy, Devil, Eternal Life, Eternity, Hebrews, Scripture, Subdue

DOOMED DEVIL

HEBREWS 2:14

“Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, so that through death He might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil,”

You may know that I am a University of Georgia football fan. I went to school there and follow the bulldogs during the season. Last week was a special victory over a rival team in the same conference. I can’t say we destroyed them since the game was a close one. We were able to subdue them just enough to squeak out a win. I’ll take it. A “W” is a “W.”

Don’t you just love today’s verse? Jesus came to destroy the devil at his own game – the game of death. Jesus conquered death and the grave and rose again the third day. The Greek word for “destroy” is katargeó which means to totally render idle, to subdue. Jesus threw the devil into neutral. He lost his power over the grave and death. In Romans this word is translated “nullify.” We know that the devil’s ultimate defeat will come later at the end of Christ’s 1,000 year reign. That will be the end of Satan. But right now, Jesus has made him toothless.

ASK QUESTIONS (Command to Obey, Promise to claim, Sin to avoid, Application to make, Something new about God)

This is certainly a Promise to claim. What better promise could we receive than the promise that Jesus was and is victorious over the devil? And because of His victory, we also walk in victory. Once we turn to Jesus and follow Him, the devil has lost all claims on us. Do you understand what this means? Because your life now belongs to Christ, the devil cannot claim it. You cannot lose something that you no longer have. And he certainly can’t grab anything out of the hand of God, can he?

We see this spelled out in 2 Timothy 1:10, “but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,” Isn’t that great? By abolishing death (spiritual death), Jesus brought life. We see this also 1 John 3:8b, “The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil.” Jesus fulfilled His mission by destroying the prince of this world.

We will all die physically one day unless Jesus returns in our lifetime (and that could happen). I do not fear my physical death. Now, I would love to choose how I go, but the act of death doesn’t frighten me. Why? Because my spiritual death has been abolished. The Lamb of God paid the price for my sins and once I received Him, I was made secure eternally. The saying is true – Born once, die twice; Born twice, die once. Are you ready?

Father, I praise You for Christ’s victory over our adversary and the promise of eternal life with You.

Standard
Rescue specialist lowered from helicopter toward basket over rough ocean
Uncategorized, Bible, Scripture, Trust, Anxiety, Messiah, Trustworthy, Hebrews

TRUST IN HIM

HEBREWS 2:13

“And again, ‘I WILL PUT MY TRUST IN HIM.’ And again, ‘BEHOLD, I AND THE CHILDREN WHOM GOD HAS GIVEN ME.’”

Placing trust in someone is hard to do, isn’t it? We are so afraid that person will betray our trust or leave us hanging. I have been the recipient of misplaced trust. Ouch! It really stings, especially if it’s someone you have known for a while. I know I have also let people down myself. I can’t really recall a time that was intentional, but that doesn’t matter. I broke a trust. For that I am guilty. As far as I know, I have asked and received forgiveness for any time this may have occurred.

Aren’t you glad we don’t have to worry about broken trust with the Lord? Our verse today contains two Old Testament quotations. Depending on which commentator you believe, they come from Isaiah 8:17-18 or 2 Samuel 22:3 or Isaiah 12:2. Only the writer of Hebrews can tell us for sure what text he was quoting (make a note and ask him when you get to heaven, lol). Almost every scholar, however, agrees that these are in reference to the Messiah speaking over His people. The Messiah says, “I will put my trust in Him,” referring to the Father. He and the Father are one, so He knows His trust is sound.

ASK QUESTIONS (Command to Obey, Promise to claim, Sin to avoid, Application to make, Something new about God)

What a perfect Promise to claim! All through Scripture we see passages about trusting in God. One of my most recent memory verses in Isaiah 26:3, “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in You.” But look at the next verse in Isaiah 26, “Trust in the LORD forever, for in GOD the LORD, we have an everlasting Rock.” To quote a late friend, “That’s shouting ground!”

Probably one of the most quoted passages about trusting God is found in Proverbs 3:5-6. “5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” Can I be honest with you for a second? I am struggling with a little anxiety right now. I won’t go into details yet. Hopefully, I can share more in a future blog. But I have been claiming this passage, among others. Trust isn’t easy sometimes. But I know my God is bigger than my anxious thoughts and has a perfect plan for my life.

What are you struggling with right now that you have not trusted the Lord with? If you can trust the Lord with your eternity, can’t you trust Him with today (I am preaching to myself here)? Today we all need to choose to lay down our baggage of mistrust and allow Him to carry it. 1 Peter 5:7 tells us, “having cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares about you.” Do we believe that? I choose to believe that today.

Father, I believe. Help my unbelief!

Standard