Consider Jesus (Hebrews 3:1-6)

One of the curious things in the New Testament is the call for Christians to “consider Jesus.” Wouldn’t you think that was why people were Christians in the first place, they had already considered Jesus and said, “Yes?” Certainly, the Christian community is always inviting others to consider Jesus. This invitation is based on the fact that we believe any serious comparison with other options will come up short when measure up against Jesus.

            But we are invited by the writer of Hebrews to “consider Jesus”( Hebrews 3:1). It is a communal consideration because the author identifies holy brothers and sisters who “share in the heavenly call.” Only those who share in such a call can fully grasp together what it means to really consider Jesus. Such consideration opens us up to who Jesus really is and what he is up to.

            He is the Apostle and High Priest of our confession. Some people have thought that this confession is actually found in the Prologue of the letter to the Hebrews (Hebrews 1:1-4). Jesus being called an “Apostle” simply means that he was sent with a mission. We are to collectively consider that mission. When we say on occasion that “it is not about us,” we need to further declare that “It is about Jesus being sent with a mission, and we join him.”

            Jesus is also High Priest. Since most of us have not come to the faith from a background of Judaism with its sacrificial practices attached to the priestly role, it may be hard to grasp Jesus in these terms. But this metaphor is to indicate the humanity of Jesus, the priestly role of Jesus, the sympathizing role of Jesus, and his being appointed by God. No wonder we are challenged to consider his role more closely!

            We never get too “holy” or too “faithful” or too “good” but what we need to periodically stop and consider Jesus! Who was he and what was he up to when he came to this earth? Am I aware of his various roles and the daily difference it makes in my spiritual journey?

            For Christian leaders, this may seem too elementary, but it is not. There is a communal call to consider Jesus that grounds leadership in its servanthood posture. Christian leaders who consider Jesus also consider others! Leading is nothing more than visionary serving! When we Christian leaders consider Jesus we also consider the impact of our loving service on the health of the community of faith. When we consider Jesus, we also consider the morale of the group. High morale is an outcome of servant-leading. Faithful expectation, living hope and deference to others as way of servant-leading is only possible from spending time in the presence of Jesus considering him!

            In my own lifetime of pastoral leadership, I am painfully aware of those situations and opportunities where I did not consider Jesus. I considered myself too much. The relinquishment of self and the surrender of personal agendas only comes about when considering Jesus. As is evident from all of this, wise discernment and spiritual maturity comes about when we spend time considering Jesus.

           

                In Christian love, Curtis                  

THEY ARE JUST LIKE US!

             When studying of the book of Hebrews, it is important to keep the bigger picture in mind.  One thing that is rather enlightening is to become aware of the situation of the original hearers/readers, and get an insight into the pastoral care of the writer.

            It seems right at the start that the intended audience of this “word of exhortation” (the book of Hebrews) have a wrong or incorrect view of Jesus. More than ever, in my own life and Christian journey, I have come to the realization that my view and perspective of Jesus drives my attitudes, actions and behavior.

            Apparently, these original readers were worshiping and venerating angels above Jesus. We find out that our forefathers, prophets and angels all had a part in disseminating the will of God to his people. “But in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son” (Hebrews 1:2).

            This “speaking” by the Son is in two simultaneous ways: first, by his very life speaking the will of God, and, his teachings offered during his earthly ministry. The direction of his life and his self-understanding of his mission spoke volumes about God’s will to the human race. And, his verbal teachings encapsulated God’s desire for human beings, reconciliation and renewal.

            They are just like us! The original hearers of this exhortation began to neglect and replace the central figure of the risen Christ in their life. We are just like them! We, too, can begin to neglect the central figure of the risen Christ in our own lives and forget that God continues to speak to us through His Son.

            The message of God is incarnational. The message of God came through a person. The message of God came through a person identified as God’s Son.

            In the opening Prologue to the book of Hebrews (1:1-4) the writer goes into a little detail as to the character of this Son. That is for another time for us to explore. Here and now I want to point out the dynamic of God speaking through his Son.

            Every generation of Christians has struggled with discerning the voice of God. Probably the best place to begin is to hear what God is saying to us through the life and words of Jesus, the Son.

            Prophets, forefathers and angels cannot take his place, nor supersede his role of speaking on behalf of God. He has spoken to us.

            It is in the gospels that we hear God speaking to us through His Son, Jesus. We are privileged to have all 4 gospels. Each one tells the story of Jesus, speaking on behalf of God, from a little different perspective.

            Matthew in 1:21 lays out the terrain of Jesus’ life journey—from son (of Mary & Joseph) to Savior and back to Son again! This incarnational journey speaks volumes. God identifies with us through Jesus. Jesus is able to sympathize with our weaknesses, and speaks on behalf of God regarding that kind of empathy and care. Praise God that he has spoken to us by His Son!

In Christian love, Curtis

Concentric Core of the Church(3)

“God gave a person, then a proclamation, and then a people. This is the historical and theological order” (page xvii).



Ferguson, Everett. 1996. The Church of Christ: A Biblical Ecclesiology for Today. Grand Rapids, MI:Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.


The quote above from Ferguson’s book provides what I call “The Concentric Core of the Church.” His comment about the historical and theological order of what God gave is vital. Additionally, his reference to God being the Giver of them is significant as well. Last week’s article focused on God’s ultimate gift to humanity in the person of Jesus as the incarnation of His love. This week we continue the concentric core of the church with the following affirmation:


• God’s ultimate gift of proclamation to humanity is Jesus as the incarnation of His love.


The proclamation of the gospel actually begins in Acts chapter 2 and continues to the end of the book of Revelation. The four Gospel writers provide the content of Jesus’ ministry and teaching which later form the content of the proclamation. The good news is that Jesus has arisen from the dead, and is now seated on the right hand of God. This proclamation goes in two directions at once:


The good news of Jesus is proclaimed to those who otherwise would perish.


The good news of Jesus is proclaimed to those who need ongoing transformation into the likeness of his image.


This all reminds me of the apostle Paul’s declaration about the place of proclamation in the spreading of the gospel: “How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?” (Romans 10:14). The proclamation of Jesus leads to belief and calling on the name of Jesus. Such expression by Paul can be taken to mean a totality of life where heart, mind and soul are given over to the Risen One. No wonder the good news needs proclaiming! This is a message that is hard to take, and it certainly bears repeating over and over to all who need and want to hear it. It is a joyous thing to think of the proclamation of the gospel as a gift from God!


In Christian love, Curtis