As we walk through Hebrews in our reading plan, below are a few additional thoughts, questions, commentary, and quotes. These aren’t designed to substitute your personal study and reflectionon God’s Word, but they’re small supplements to your study. It’s always helpful to begin your study by reading the passage and making some basic observations. See the post “Making Observations” for basic questions to help you understand and apply what you’re reading.
Hebrews 3:1 gives us one of the most simple commands, and yet one of the most significant commands. Consider Jesus (ESV). Fix your thoughts on Jesus (NIV). Think carefully about this Jesus (NLT).
It feels almost too easy. Consider Jesus. Isn’t there more to learn, to figure out, to do, to change, or to fix? The answer is yes, but none of those things should come before setting our hearts and minds on him. And, in fact, none of those things will come to us apart from fixing out eyes on Jesus.
Peace comes from abiding in Jesus (John 14:27-15:11) and casting your cares on Jesus (Phil. 4:6-7).
Maturity comes from marveling at Jesus (Col. 1:28).
Freedom from sin’s power comes by setting our minds on Jesus (Col. 3:1-4).
Rest comes from walking alongside of Jesus (Matt. 11:28-30).
Strength and endurance come from looking to Jesus (Heb. 12:1-3).
Transformation takes place by beholding Jesus (2 Cor. 3:18).
Every day there are a thousand things vying for our attention. Even as we read our Bible or pray, our minds quickly chase after the first thought that enters. Even the last couple of days, I feel the temptation and the pull to stop what I’m doing and see what the latest news is. As frustration and impatience might grow in houses where we’re crowded together, or as fear and worry increase day by day, what our heart needs more than anything is to consider Jesus.
What do we know to be true about him? Who is Jesus, in his person and work? Who is Jesus for us, as our King, Savior, Treasure, Interceding High Priest, Lord, and God? How does Jesus gently and graciously care for us during this season? Why is Jesus worth all the glory and worship the Church gives him? Why is Jesus alone the one who can sustain us and satisfy us?
As the author of Hebrews writes to an audience tempted to turn back to the Old Testament, or as Paul in Colossians wrote to a people tempted to add other things alongside of Jesus, the answer in both letters is first and foremost looking to Jesus. He is superior, supreme, sovereign, and all-sufficient. Competing voices, false ideas, and alluring idols fall the wayside not through our discipline or our good deeds, but they fade as Jesus becomes bigger and clearer in our mind’s eye. Consider Jesus.
“Turn you eyes upon Jesus
Look full in His wonderful face
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace”[1]
Study, Reflection, and Discussion Questions
- In 3:1-6, how is Jesus similar to Moses, and what are three ways Jesus is superior to Moses? Why is it important the audience understands Jesus’ superiority over Moses?
- How is Jesus’ faithfulness to the Father (3:2)—all the way to the cross (see 2:10-11)— encouraging as a model for us to follow (3:1; consider) and as our hope he will be faithful to us (3:6)?
- The verbs “consider Jesus” (3:1) and “hold fast to our confidence” (3:6) parallel one another and are grammatically connected. How does setting our eyes and hearts on Jesus help us hold strong in faith rather than drift away? What are ways you can consider Jesus in order to hold fast?
- Read Hebrews 2:1-4; 3:1, 6, 12-13, 4:1, 11. What do you notice that’s similar and what unique nuances do you notice between the exhortations in these verses?
For Further Study
- Made holy, sanctified: Heb. 3:1; 1:3; 2:11; 9:13-14; 10:14, 22; 12:10, 14; 13:12.
- Heavenly calling: Heb. 3:1; 2:10; 6:4; 9:23; 10:35; 11:16; 12:22; 13:14.
- House: See Num. 12:7; 1 Sam. 2:35; 1 Chron. 17:14; 2 Cor. 6:16; Eph. 2:21; 1 Tim. 3:15; 1 Pet. 2:5.
- If indeed we hold fast: Heb. 3:6, 14; 1 Cor. 15:2; Col. 1:23; John 15:1-11; 14:15, 23; 1 John 2:19-20.
- “Consider Jesus” at Ligonier.org
Ideas for Response
- How can you better consider Jesus today or this week? Consider things like being intentional in what you’re reading in the Bible, prayer, journaling, listening to Christ-centered music, reading Jesus-focused books, or meditating on truths about Jesus.
- How can you help people in your life consider Jesus today or this week? What truths, thoughts, songs, verses, promises, or articles can you email, text, or speak into their life to help them anchor their hearts on him?
Additional Thoughts or Quotes
Hold Fast to Jesus by Considering Jesus
“Consider Jesus” (3:1) and “hold fast” (3:6). These two are parallel and related, and we hold fast by considering Jesus even as considering Jesus helps us hold fast. Though there’s the push to guard against drifting away and demonstrating unbelief, and the call to hold fast and continue in faith, the emphasis is on doing so by considering and responding to Jesus. There isn’t a detailed exposition on how to know if you are truly believing, the elect of God, have enough or genuine fruit, or what true vs false belief in the heart looks like. Instead, there’s the call to continue by considering Jesus.
Jesus is the Greater Moses
“The paragraph can be summarized in three points: (1) Moses was a servant; Jesus is the Son; (2) Moses was a part of the house; Jesus is over the house; and (3) Moses testified of what was coming; Jesus fulfilled the testimony.”[2]
Consider and See
The call to consider Jesus (Heb. 3:1; 12:3) reminds me of John’s encouragement to “see” God’s love in 1 John 3:1. Read more from Spurgeon on seeing and considering.
Footnotes
[1] “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus” by Helen Lemmel, lyrics available at https://library.timelesstruths.org/music/Turn_Your_Eyes_upon_Jesus/. Three modern versions are by Lauren Daigle, Shane and Shane, and Hillsong.
[2] Allen, D. L. (2010). Hebrews (p. 236). Nashville, TN: B & H Publishing Group.
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