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The past couple of chapters we have looked at Jesus the Son and Jesus the Man. In chapter 3 verse 1, He is called the High Priest, or Senior Priest in McKnight’s translation. He is then in the next verses compared to Moses in being over the whole house of God. I want to look at that house of God, what it means for us, and our relationship with Him.
For this one has deserved greater splendor than Mōüsēs, just as the preparer of a house has so much greater honor than the house. For every house is prepared by someone, but God is the preparer of all things. Mōüsēs [was] allegiant in his [God’s] whole house as an attendant for a witness of what will be spoken, but Christos as Son over his [God’s] house. We are his house, if only we possess frankness and hope’s boast.
-Hebrews 3:4-6, The Second Testament
Verse 4 tells us God is the preparer, or builder, of all things. Then in verse 6, it reads “we are his house.” So, God built or prepared the house, and the house is us. He made us and He uses us to continue to build His kingdom by doing the good works He prepared for us. He prepares us and then His Spirit resides within us. Let’s look at some other passages that are related.
Approaching to him, a living stone that has been rejected by humans but an honorable election to God, and you yourselves, as living stones, are formed [as] a Spirit-shaped house into a devoted priesthood to offer Spirit-shaped sacrifices with good acceptance by God through Yēsous Christos. Because it’s contained in the writing,
Look! I place in Siōn [Zion] a stone, a cornerstone,
an honorable-elect [stone]
and the one allegiant to him will never be degraded.
Therefore, to you allegiant ones [he is] honorable, for the anti-trusting ones a stone the formers rejected, this one has become the corner’s head…
You are a chosen family, an imperial priesthood, a devoted ethnic group, an acquired people - so that you may declare the virtues of the one who called you out of darkness into his stunning light.
-1 Peter 2:4-7,9
The house of God - the kingdom, the family of God - is built on the cornerstone of Christ. He is the beginning, the perfect stone that the family of God began with. The rest of the foundation was laid through and on the apostles and prophets, then we were added to it, first the Jews then the Gentiles. (Ephesians 2:19-22) He will keep adding to it, building His family and His kingdom. Building His house and dwelling within us and among us, working through us.
We are his compositions, being created in Christos Yēsous for good works, for which God previously prepared so we might walk around in them.
-Ephesians 2:10For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
-Ephesians 2:10, NLT
As a musician and music lover, I adore the idea of being God’s composition, His masterpiece. I know many people will think of a masterpiece more in a visual arts concept, but music speaks to my heart. When I think about how a beautifully constructed piece of music moves and makes you feel and respond, then compare that to how God has created us with the purpose to help others respond to Him…I think it’s beautiful. We work in harmony, each playing the part God wrote especially for us. Weaving our melodies in and out with one another in a beautiful magnum opus titled, “Love in Christ”. We might hit a sour note along the way, but the result is still an exquisite masterpiece composed by God, conducted by the Spirit, to bring His people to the home the Preparer of all things has built and has readied for us to dwell with Him.
The words of caution come in Hebrews 3:12-13.
See, siblings, that there will not be in some of you anti-trust’s evil heart in removing from the living God, but encourage yourselves consistent with each day, as long as it is called “Today” so that someone of you not become stubborn in sin’s deceit—
-Hebrews 3:12-13
I like the wording McKnight uses in theses verses and the imagery it brings compared to some other versions. Where the NLT says, “turning away from the living God,” he says, “removing from the living God.” It is the imagery of “in” vs. “out”. To be wary to not do what will result in you being removed from, or taken out of, His house. Going back to 1 John 4:13, our goal is to remain in Him. I also love that he uses the phrase “encourage yourselves” as opposed to “warn each other.” It brings to mind that working in love, building up one another, encouraging and edifying. Lending each other strength and faith, hope and love. Helping each other guard against that anti-trust and stay “in”. Enjoying with one another what He has prepared for us in love.