Jesus is the focus of the book of Hebrews. His readers are contemplating going back under Judaism because of the suffering they are encountering. It's like they are hearing a voice saying "Hey you guys! Look what you're leaving in following Christ - the prophets, the angels, and now Moses. Moses, the one through whom the first covenant came and the one you are going to go back to."
verse 1: "Therefore, holy brethren, sharing in a heavenly calling, contemplate Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession."
The term "holy brethren" here refers to the New Testament believers, the saints those who are set-apart ones.
The Bible Knowledge Commentary says: "The fact that they are called holy brethren indicates that they are genuine believers."
Throughout chapter 2 we have noted he refers to them as "brethren," "children," and "sons" - all speaking of the family relationship.
We are sharing in a heavenly calling. Israel is sharing in an earthly calling - an earthly kingdom. The church is sharing in a heavenly calling.
The writer then issues a command: "contemplate Jesus."
The Greek word means to "fasten the mind on," to "get focused."
Get focused on Jesus instead of your circumstances and Judaism.
Contemplate Him: (1) as the prophet who communicates the Father's final message; (2) the priest who sacrifices Himself as an offering for sin; and (3) as the king who is going to come and rule and reign - a king of righteousness who in a future day will administer His kingdom.
Yes, the answer is to "contemplate Jesus": (1) "the apostle" and (2) "high priest of our confession."
Yes, Jesus our priest made the perfect sacrifice. He is indeed the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.
verse 2: "Who is faithful to the One who appointed Him, as Moses also was in all His house."
"Who" refers to the Lord Jesus. He is characterized by the word "faithful." This means He was faithful to fulfill and to finish.
Matthew 3:17: "This is My beloved son, in whom I am well pleased."
One of the greatest delights of the Father in His children is to see the quality of faithfulness.
Isaiah 25:1: "O Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done marvelous things, things planned long ago" (NIV).
Jesus is a perfect model for their own fidelity and faithfulness.
Jesus Christ, who is the "apostle and high priest of our confession...is faithful to the One who appointed Him." It is the desire of the writer to the book of Hebrews that these Christians follow the example of their leader.
Moses is included in the hall of faith in Hebrews 11:24-26: "By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; choosing rather to be suffering ill-treatment with the people of God, than to be enjoying the short-lived pleasures of sin; considering the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking forward to the reward" (NIV).
The greatest joy of all is to anticipate that wonderful day when we will hear from the crucified, risen Savior: "Well done thou good and faithful servant."
We need to recognize the fact that we will never hear those words if we are not faithful to finish the task set before us. We will never be able to say that we finished if we do not hang in there.
