The Letter to the Hebrews
Jesus Will Be Faithful When You Are Tempted
Hebrews 3:1-6
Let’s turn to Hebrews 3. If you need a Bible, go ahead and raise your hand and we will bring one to you. Hebrews 3 is on page 1002 in the Bibles we are passing out.
And while you are turning there let me remind you about this letter’s background. From chapter 13 we know it was written to a small group of believers who lived in Rome – and from the rest of the book we can see that they were struggling spiritually. Some of them were in prison for their faith (13:3). Some had stopped meeting with other believers (10:24f). The author says that by this time they should have been able to teach others – but they themselves needed to be re-taught (5:12). And they had grown lax in their devotion to God’s Word – and were in danger of drifting from Jesus to destruction (2:1).
And so here’s what the author has been saying in the first two chapters. In chapter one he says that because God has spoken to us in His own Son, and because Jesus the Son is superior to angels (being God), therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard – we must cling with faith to this Word about Jesus (2:1).
And then in chapter two he gives more reasons why we must cling to God’s Word – it’s because if we don’t we will drift away to destruction (vv.2-3), and because God has given us all the evidence we need to know it’s true (vv.3-4), and because Jesus has won back for us the destiny we had forfeited by our sin (vv.5-13), and because Jesus has paid for our sins so we have no reason to fear death (vv.14-18).
So all those reasons point back to the command of chapter 2 verse 1 – that we are to hold fast to this word about Jesus. So now where is the author going in ch.3? To see that read vv.1-2 –
1 Therefore, holy brothers, 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 house.
One way to discover the author’s main point is by noticing when he gives commands. And here the author commands us to “consider Jesus” – think about Jesus, ponder Jesus, behold Jesus.
And there’s one aspect of Jesus he specially wants us to consider -- the fact that Jesus was faithful to God who appointed Him. Now why is that important for us to consider?
Why do we need to consider Jesus’ faithfulness? I saw the answer in v.18 –
18 For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.
And therefore we should consider Jesus’ faithfulness – so we will understand that every time we are tempted – if we will turn to Him He will be faithful to help us.
Here’s why this is so important. Notice in v.1 that we share in a heavenly calling. The author has explained that in chapter 2 -- how God had originally created us for an amazing destiny which we forfeited by our sin. But Jesus became the Psalm 8 man who perfectly obeyed God and who died in our place for our sins and received the destiny we forfeited – and by trusting Jesus we share with Him in that destiny.
So our heavenly calling is that in the new heavens and earth we will share with Jesus our older brother in being over the angels, in being crowned with God’s glory and honor, and in having everything under our feet. That’s the heavenly calling we share in.
And here in v.1 we read that there are two ways Jesus has given us this heavenly calling. One is by being an apostle – which means He was sent by God to tell us about this heavenly calling. And the other is by being our high priest – which means He made propitiation for our sins – he satisfied God’s wrath so we could be partakers of this heavenly calling.
So we have a heavenly calling. But the road between here and there is full of temptations – which could keep us from reaching our heavenly calling. So there’s the heavenly calling – but between us and heaven the road is full of temptations – lions, swamps, rattlesnakes, thieves, quicksand, storms, desert, washed out roads – the road of full of temptations.
So how are we going to make it? The answer is v.18 – read it again --
18 For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.
Whenever we face a temptation – Jesus will help us. And to make sure we understand that HE WILL ALWAYS HELP US – the author in 3:1-6 tells us to consider Jesus’ faithfulness.
And in vv.1-6 of chapter 3 He tells us more about Jesus’ faithfulness so we can see just how faithful Jesus is. So what does the author tell us about Jesus’ faithfulness?
And as I studied these verses I saw three crucial truths about Jesus’ faithfulness.
First – Jesus is faithful to help God’s people, just as Moses was. To see that read vv.1-2 again --
1 Therefore, holy brothers, 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 house.
So Moses was faithful in all God’s house. What is God’s house? In v.6 we will see that God’s house is a metaphor for God’s people --
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.
So God’s house is a metaphor for God’s people. And in v.2 we read that Moses was faithful in all God’s house – which means he was faithful to help God’s people.
Think of how Moses was faithful to help God’s people. Many of these are by Gods’ power – but the point is that Moses was faithful to help God’s people --
- God’s people were oppressed – so Moses left Pharaoh’s house to help them.
- God’s people were slaves under Pharaoh – so Moses went to Pharaoh and commanded him to let God’s people go.
- Pharaoh was stubborn – so Moses worked signs and wonders to persuade Pharaoh.
- God was bringing punishment – so Moses gave Israel the Passover so their first-born sons could be saved.
- They faced the Red Sea – so Moses parted the Red Sea and they went across.
- They were thirsty – so Moses provided water.
- They were hungry – so Moses provided manna and meat.
- They needed instruction – so He gave them God’s teaching in the Law.
Moses was faithful to help God’s people.
And the author of Hebrews wants us to understand that Jesus is faithful to help God’s people just as Moses was. Now think of that word “faithful.” If someone is faithful – and they say they’ll meet you at Starbucks at 7 tonight – what will they do? They’ll meet you are Starbucks at 7 tonight. They won’t forget, they won’t flake, they won’t change their mind. They will be faithful.
And in ch.2 v.18 we have read that Jesus will help us whenever we are tempted. And in ch.3 we read that Jesus is faithful to us as Moses was. So Jesus will help us whenever we are tempted.
- Let’s say you are tempted with discouragement. What will Jesus do? He’ll help you.
- Ok – but what if you are tempted with self-pity? He will help you.
- With lust? He will help you.
- Doubt? He will help you.
- Fear or worry? He will help you.
- Pride? He will help you.
Every time you face a temptation – He will be faithful to help you – because Jesus is faithful to help God’s people just as Moses was. That’s the first truth about His faithfulness.
The second is that Jesus is even more faithful than Moses because as God He has power over everything. To see that look at vv.3-4 --
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.
Just as Moses was faithful, Jesus was faithful to the house of God’s people. But Jesus is even more gloriously faithful – because he is the builder of the house of His people, whereas Moses was just part of the house of God’s people.
Remember – the house is a picture of God’s people. And Moses was faithful to the house of God’s people – but since Moses was one of God’s people – he was part of the house. But Jesus is not part of the house of God’s people – he built the house of God’s people.
So Moses is the house, Jesus is the builder of the house – and then look at what this tells us about Jesus in v.4 --
4 (For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God.)
So if Jesus is the builder – and the builder of all things is God – what does that make Jesus? It makes Him God. So here’s how I summarize this point – Jesus is even more faithful than Moses because as God He has power over everything.
Which means nothing can keep Jesus from doing what He wants to do. Because as God He has all power. Here’s what this means for those times when we are tempted.
When I’m tempted, the pull of sin feels so strong that I don’t think anything can change it. Like a week ago at 10:30 at night I got an email which felt like a kick in the gut. My stomach sank. I felt devastated, hopeless, bitter. And that felt so strong it felt like nothing could change it.
But Jesus is faithful to help me whenever I am tempted. And He is even more faithful than Moses – because as God He is all-powerful. Which means He has the power to change my heart. And that’s what He did.
I stopped and prayed. Jesus, help me. This hurts. I’m feeling hopeless, devastated, bitter. Come and help me. Do something. And over the next hour – as I prayed and read over some promises – the Holy Spirit changed my heart and – I kid you not – an hour later my faith and hope were stronger than they had been before the email.
So Jesus is even more faithful than Moses because as God He has power over everything.
The third truth is that Jesus is even more faithful than Moses because as the Son He provides everything His house needs. You can see that in vv.5-6 --
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.
Moses was faithful to God’s people as a servant is to the household – that’s pretty faithful. But Jesus is faithful to God’s people as a son is to the household. What’s the difference? Notice the Moses was faithful IN God’s house – whereas Jesus was faithful OVER God’s house.
I think the point is that Jesus as Son is over God’s house – He is responsible for everything in His house – everything His people need.
Now remember – the point of this is to help us understand that Jesus will be faithful to us every single time we are tempted. And in vv.5-6 the author wants us to understand that when you are tempted – Jesus will provide everything you need.
- So if when you are tempted you need wisdom – Jesus will be faithful and give you wisdom.
- If you need assurance of salvation – Jesus will be faithful and give you assurance of salvation.
- If you need power over lust – Jesus will so fill your heart that you have power over lust.
- If you need to forgive someone – Jesus will so satisfy you that you can forgive someone.
- If you need encouragement – Jesus will show His promises to you so powerfully that you are fully encouraged.
So what does this mean for us? The road between here and our heavenly calling is full of temptations. But Jesus has promised to help you in every temptation. And this Jesus who promises to help you is faithful.
When He says He will do something – He will do it. He will be faithful to you just as Moses was – and He will be even more faithful – because as God He has power over everything, and as Son He will provide for everything.
I promise you – when you are tempted – stop and cry out to Jesus to help. Every time you do – He will give you all the help you need – through His Word and by His Spirit and by His people.
Now sometimes we give up too soon. Sometimes we don’t seek Him with all our hearts. Sometimes we don’t seek help from our home group leader or other trusted believers.
But if we will press in – He will always give us all we need for every temptation. Because He is faithful.