November 20, 2013
PERSPECTIVE
Hebrews 3:1-11
Michele Kaczka
Central Truth
Keep our thoughts focused on Jesus and why we are here on earth. We are all called to serve Christ no matter what we do for work because He desires to have a relationship with us and others who don't know Him.
Key Verse | Hebrews 3:1
Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the Apostle and High Priest of our confession. (Hebrews 3:1)
Hebrews 3:1-11
Jesus Greater Than Moses
1 Therefore, holy brothers, 1 3:1 Or brothers and sisters; also verse 12 you who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession, 2 who was faithful to him who appointed him, just as Moses also was faithful in all God's 2 3:2 Greek his; also verses 5, 6 house. 3 For Jesus has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses—as much more glory as the builder of a house has more honor than the house itself. 4 (For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God.) 5 Now Moses was faithful in all God's house as a servant, to testify to the things that were to be spoken later, 6 but Christ is faithful over God's house as a son. And we are his house, if indeed we hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope. 3 3:6 Some manuscripts insert firm to the end
A Rest for the People of God
7 Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says,
“Today, if you hear his voice,
8
do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion,
on the day of testing in the wilderness,
9
where your fathers put me to the test
and saw my works for forty years.
10
Therefore I was provoked with that generation,
and said, ‘They always go astray in their heart;
they have not known my ways.’
11
As I swore in my wrath,
‘They shall not enter my rest.’”
Dive Deeper | Hebrews 3:1-11
In one of the student ministry lessons for a group of ninth-grade girls I lead, there was a question that asked the girls to try to recall what they had received for Christmas two years earlier. None of us could remember what we had received. What an eye opener that was to show us that worldly desires really are fleeting. The Scripture I have memorized, on the other hand, will always be with me. God's Word is permanent: "The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever." (Isaiah 40:8)
It's interesting to look back at different goals I have accomplished and current goals I have. Most of them that took up my time and energy in the past were worldly goals and accomplishments that won't be recognized after my life here on earth ends. Doing this devotional has made me more cognizant of what kind of goals and tasks I focus on. While working on this devotional, I printed my 4B form, Watermark's spiritual self-assessment, that I completed at the beginning of the year and have it at my office as a reminder not to lose focus on the truly important goals. The other goals/accomplishments might be considered impressive by the world's standard, but I desire to accomplish greater goals according to Christ's standard.
I have realized that worldly accomplishments and desires are much less fulfilling than work for Christ. When I feel the worries of the day start to fill my mind, I try to keep an eternal perspective. We are here on earth only a short time in comparison to eternity with Christ. Will what I'm doing and focusing on right now glorify God and His kingdom?
Discussion Questions
1. What daily struggles keep you from focusing on God?
2. What goals do you have that are aligned with God's?
3. What Scriptures back up the goals you have?