JESUS AND MOSES COMPARED Devotion 1 of 12 The superiority of the Lord Jesus Christ is a suitable subject for contemplation. In the light emanating from His Person, everything else is clarified. Too, our own persons are affected by the consideration of Christ. As it is written, But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord" (2 Cor 3:18). We are not transformed by rule-keeping, or the conveyance of additional information – although both are integral to our salvation. We are changed by the Spirit as we behold "the glory of the Lord." -- Tomorrow:
"Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house. For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honor than the house. For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God. And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after; but Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end." (Heb 3:1-6)
It is essential to grasp the REASON for our justification. The implications and effects of regeneration will never be attractive to us until we can see the foundation upon which God's acceptance of us rests. That foundation is found in the person and accomplishments of the Lord Jesus Christ.
A concentration upon Christ will result in moral change. From one perspective, the new birth was accomplished through our personal awareness of God's only begotten Son. That awareness was conveyed through the Gospel, and realized in our obedient response to that Gospel. While it may contradict stilted theologies, it is still good to consider this truth. It is a matter of revelation. "For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ" (2 Cor 4:6). This experience is the illumination referred to in the book of Hebrews. "But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated . . . ("enlightened," NASB "received the light," NIV (Heb 10:32).
Notice the means through which our initial enlightenment was realized – "the light of the knowledge of the glory of God" is realized by means of "the face of Christ." That is to say, the means to understanding the expression of God's Person is the focused consideration of His Son! Who God is, and what He has accomplished cannot be comprehended apart from being occupied with the Lord Jesus Christ. Our regeneration was accomplished through this means, as well as our continued advancement in the Spirit.
While this seems very apparent, your own experience will confirm that it is very elusive. The remarkable flood of worldly – and even theological – distractions, hide the face of Christ from men. It is common for seemingly devout church people to be occupied with things other than Jesus. It may be a career, a mission, or some other form of institutional fervor. What is even more, much of what comes from the pulpit and classroom obscures Christ, rather than bringing Him within the consciousness of the hearers.
The book of Hebrews was written to those enamored of Law – rules and regulations. For this reason, it is right up to date! No need for a historical analysis of the book to benefit from it – only a personal analysis in which faith plays the chief role!
Mind you, there is nothing wrong with rules and regulations when they are correctly handled. As it is written, "We know that the law is good if one uses it properly" (1 Tim 1:8). However, when the Law, in any form, becomes the means of appropriating Divine acceptance, Jesus is consequently relegated to the background – if a place is reserved for Him at all. That circumstance is wholly unacceptable, and will, if not repented of, exclude one from the presence of the Lord and the glory of His power.
PRAYER POINT: Father, I thank You for sending Your only begotten Son into the world that we might live through Him. In His name, I ask for grace to always keep Him in proper focus.