Consider Christ Jesus

Hebrews 3:1 "Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus"

There is no better place to start a study on things to be considered than on Christ Jesus. No other object more deserves to be meditated upon than the God incarnate. We often think that a phrase such as "consider Jesus" is a plea that believers say to unbelievers. That if we could only bring someone to think about the character and person of Jesus that they would come to love Him and trust Him for salvation. While it is true that we should everyday display Christ to the world with our words and actions in a way to make them step back and consider Him, that is not the intent of this passage.

Why Was Hebrews Written?
There is not a lot that is known of the reason why this unknown author wrote this book. But some things seem evident from how this book describes the people the author is writing to. They were undergoing extreme persecution and the temptation to deny their faith or turn back under the law was growing. Verse 10:32 clearly shows that this was occurring "call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions". The authors plea is that they would not turn but be like those who helped him during is time in prison. Verse 10:34 "For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance." They took joy under persecution. The authors intent is to create a mindset and stir an emotion in their hearts that no matter what circumstances come upon them they will not deny the faith but instead take joy under any circumstance.

The Rewards of Knowledge.
The part that seems somewhat strange is the authors way of trying to keep them from turning back. Instead of giving them lists of warnings with dangers attached to them, even thought there are a couple warnings, most of the time is spent telling them about Jesus. The author fully expects that simply having a deeper understanding of Christ is more than enough for them to continue in joy under the deepest strain. So all the author plans to do is say, "if you think angels are great, if you think prophets are amazing, if you think Moses was the best, then you have not fully understood Christ". It is not just the authors plea in chapter 3 verse 1 to consider Christ, it is more or less the plea of the book. He is describing Christ so that those who believe will understand that they have joy unspeakable and full of glory. It is simply knowledge of Christ that will make us endure. He says in 10:34 that they knew of a better substance in heaven that awaited them. They knew Christ! They had considered Christ and found that nothing in this world could compare. As Paul said in Romans 8:18 "sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us".

My plea is that we take time to consider Christ as believers everyday. Knowledge of His beauty and glory is what gives us strength and joy. The next couple posts will be considerations of Christ within the context of chapter 3 of Hebrews. Focus on thinking about Him as The Apostle, our High Priest and better than Moses. Consider the blessings that are found in Him in these ways and praise God for His goodness unto us!