Hebrews 3: Jesus the Apostle & High Priest
- Thad DeBuhr
- Aug 3
- 11 min read
Updated: Sep 3
Hebrews 3:1-6
The Main Message: Instead of getting hung up on the old rules or the great leaders of the past, this passage tells us to keep our eyes locked on Jesus. He's not just a part of the team; he's the master carpenter who built the whole thing, and through him, we get a direct line to God.
Ever heard the saying, "Don't bring a knife to a gunfight"? It means you need the right tool for the job. In ancient times, for a Jewish person, Moses was the ultimate tool—the heavyweight champion, the one who brought God's Law and led a nation. He was the standard by which all other leaders were measured.
But what if the job changed? What if God's plan wasn't just about a nation, but about the entire world?
Today, we're looking at Hebrews 3 and a surprising comparison that reveals Moses was only the blueprint, and Jesus is the master builder who came with a whole new plan.
Before moving on, pause and read through Hebrews 3:1-6 in a couple of different translations. Choose two from this selection: NIV, NLT, ESV, NASB, NKJV
BE SURE TO WATCH THE VIDEO PODCAST THAT GOES DEEPER INTO THIS SECTION OF HEBREWS
Setting the Scene: Hebrews 3:1-6
After a deep dive into how Jesus is better than angels, the writer of Hebrews turns to a huge comparison: Jesus and Moses. For the first readers, who were likely Jewish Christians getting hammered with persecution, Moses was a giant. He was the guy who led their ancestors out of slavery in Egypt, gave them God's Law, and even talked with God "face to face." Moses was the foundation of their faith, the ultimate example of a faithful servant of God.
The writer of Hebrews makes a mind-blowing statement: Jesus is greater than Moses. This isn't just some casual thought; it's a complete game-changer for their faith. The writer calls them "holy partners in a heavenly calling," a powerful reminder that they're all in this together through Christ. He then tells them to "consider Jesus," which means to "fix their attention on" or "really check out." This isn't a quick glance but a steady, focused stare.
Jesus is the "Son." While Moses was a faithful servant "in all God's house," Jesus is the Son who built the house. The "house" isn't just a building but God's people themselves. It's a story where God's presence is no longer stuck in a building but lives among His people through Jesus. This comparison puts Jesus way above a simple prophet or leader; he's the very foundation and fulfillment of God's plan.
Don't miss the importance of Jesus being the "apostle and high priest of our confession." An apostle is a "sent one," and Jesus is the ultimate sent one from God. A high priest is the go-between for God and people. Jesus is both, a double role Moses never had. This special title shows how all-encompassing Jesus's work is. He's the one who starts God's plan and the one who makes it possible for us to get into God's presence.
The writer of Hebrews tells us that Moses was a servant in the "house," giving a sneak peek of what was to come, while Jesus is the Son over the "house" that is us. The writer says, "And we are his house if indeed we hold fast to our confidence and our boasting in our hope." That little word "if" is key. Being God's people isn't a one-and-done deal; it's a continuous act of holding on to our hope.
Rabbit Trail 1: "The House", the Tent, and the Temple
The original readers of Hebrews, being Jewish, would have immediately connected the idea of "the house" with something very specific: the Jerusalem Temple. For them, the Temple wasn't just a big building; it was the most important place on earth. It was the center of their entire religious life and the place where God's presence was believed to dwell among His people.
When the author says that Moses was a servant "in all God's house," he's referring to Moses's pivotal role in setting up the Tabernacle. This was a portable, tent-like structure that served as God's dwelling place for the Israelites after they left Egypt (see Exodus 25-40). The Tabernacle was the original "house of God" and served as the blueprint for the more permanent, grander Jerusalem Temple that came later. Moses was a faithful and trusted worker in that house, following God's exact instructions for its construction.
But the author of Hebrews then takes this idea and completely redefines it by saying Jesus is the Son over the house. This is a powerful statement. He's not just saying Jesus is a great worker like Moses; he's saying Jesus is the one who built the house. Think of it like this: a builder is always greater than the house he builds, and a son has more authority over his family's home than a hired servant. The author of Hebrews is making it clear that Jesus isn't just part of the old system; he's the one in charge of the whole thing.
This completely changes the meaning of "the house." The author is telling his readers that the "house" is no longer a building made of stone and wood in Jerusalem. The "house" of God is now a community of people—the church. We are the new dwelling place of God's presence.
As Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 3:16, "Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you?" Jesus built this new "house," and through faith, we become living stones in it. This means God's presence isn't confined to one location anymore; it lives in and among His people.
Rabbit Trail 2: The Big Deal About "Apostle and High Priest"
To a Jewish audience, these two titles would have been a seismic event. An "apostle" was someone sent with a specific mission, usually by a human authority. By calling Jesus the "apostle of our confession," the author is saying Jesus was sent directly by God Himself to complete His ultimate mission. This elevates him beyond any human messenger. Then, adding "high priest" connects him to the highest spiritual office in Judaism.
This title is a massive claim, and to understand just how big, we need to take a deeper look at the Temple itself.
The Jerusalem Temple was the physical center of Jewish faith. At the very heart of it was a room called the Holy of Holies, a space so sacred that it was believed to be the dwelling place of God's presence on earth. This room was separated from the rest of the Temple by a massive, thick veil (Exodus 26:33). No one could enter this room except for the high priest, and he could only do it once a year on a specific day—Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16:2, 34).
On that day, the high priest would perform an elaborate ritual. He would first offer a sacrifice for his own sins and the sins of his family, cleansing himself before he could even think about entering God's presence. Then, he would take the blood of a goat sacrificed for the sins of the people and, with great reverence and fear, pass through the veil into the Holy of Holies (Leviticus 16:14-15). There, he would sprinkle the blood on the Ark of the Covenant, asking God to forgive the sins of the entire nation for the past year. This wasn't just a religious ceremony; it was the only way for the people of Israel to remain in a right relationship with God. The veil was a physical barrier, a constant reminder that sin created a chasm between a holy God and an unholy people.
In that same space, an interesting story unfolds. According to Luke 1, Zechariah, a priest, was serving in the Temple when an angel appeared to him (Luke 1:8-13). The angel's message was that he and his wife, Elizabeth, would have a son named John, who would "prepare the way for the Lord" (Luke 1:17). John the Baptist's entire ministry was about getting people ready for the Messiah. It’s no accident that this message was delivered right here, at the heart of the very system that was about to be changed forever. The God who would soon tear the veil and send his Son as the ultimate High Priest and sacrifice chose this exact moment and place to announce the coming of the one who would prepare the way. The old covenant was on its way out, and the message about the new covenant was delivered right inside the old covenant's most sacred structure. It's the ultimate example of God working through the old to bring about the new.
The author of Hebrews makes a stunning point by calling Jesus both an "apostle" and a "high priest." Think about the high priest's role: he was the one who went in to the Holy of Holies to bring the blood of the sacrifice into God's presence. But Jesus completely flips the script. Instead of bringing the blood of a sacrifice in to God, Jesus becomes the sacrifice himself and, as the "apostle" or "sent one," he takes the righteousness and reconciliation he bought on the cross out to the people. He is a sent-out high priest who is the sacrifice, making a right relationship with God accessible in a way that was unimaginable before.
Then, everything changed. When Jesus died on the cross, something dramatic happened. Matthew 27 tells us that "the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom" (Matthew 27:51). This wasn't a random event; it was a powerful sign. God Himself tore the veil, signifying that the old way of accessing His presence was over. The physical barrier was gone, because sin's power had been broken by the death of Jesus, the perfect sacrifice. No longer did people need a special priest to enter a sacred room once a year. Jesus became not only the sacrifice but also the way for all people to access God the Father directly (Hebrews 10:19-20). Now, any person, any repentant sinner, can come to Jesus, and as we draw near to him, he reveals to us the knowledge, glory, and wisdom of the Father.
Questions for you to chew on and discuss:
The writer of Hebrews asks us to "consider Jesus." What does it look like to "fix your attention" on Jesus when you're busy with work, family, or just life?
The passage says, "we are his house if indeed we hold fast to our confidence and our boasting in our hope." What does it mean to "hold fast" when things get shaky, and how does your hope in Jesus give you that confidence?
How does knowing that Jesus is both a "sent one" and our high priest change how you pray or talk to God?
Journey Group Discussion Starter:
Imagine you're trying to explain to a friend why they should follow Jesus. Using this passage, what are two or three key points you would use to show that Jesus is the real deal?
Applying the Principles TODAY
The principles in this passage are still very relevant.
First, we're called to focus on one thing: Jesus. In a world full of distractions, "considering Jesus" means intentionally looking away from our daily worries and toward the unchanging truth of Christ. This could be as simple as praying in the morning or reading a Bible verse.
Second, the passage reminds us that we are part of God's "house." This means we aren't meant to be alone. We should encourage each other, build each other up, and stick to our shared hope together. Our faith is a team sport, not a solo journey.
Finally, we are called to keep going. The phrase "if indeed we hold fast" is a reminder that faith isn't a one-time thing; it's an active commitment. It means pushing through tough times and always putting our hope in Jesus.
RESOURCES TO HELP YOU GROW AS A CHRISTIAN
You've made it this far, so you're probably a fan of digging deeper into scripture. But let's be honest, trying to "hold fast" on your own is about as easy as convincing a cat to wear a sweater. You need a group of people to wrestle with these things with. So, what are you waiting for? Stop trying to do it all by yourself and start walking the journey with others. We're here to help you get connected, so if you're interested in learning more about journey groups, or getting connected in one, or even starting one, visit us here: https://www.yourjesusjourney.com/journeygroups.
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EXCITING DREAMS TAKING SHAPE
From road life to dream home base! 🚚➡️🏡 After years of traveling, God led us to an incredible spot in Arizona to build a ministry hub & bless others. You won't believe how it happened! ✨ Watch our new video to see the first glimpse! 👇
For the past three years, Kaila and I have been living life on the road, exploring and serving wherever God leads us. It's been an incredible journey, but carrying everything we own and constantly navigating started us dreaming of something more: a home base. A place to lighten our load, simplify, and most importantly, create a space where we can truly bless others. This video is the first glimpse of that dream!
As full-time traveling missionaries and founders of YourJesusJourney.com, we live on a modest income, relying on the generosity of others to support our three-fold ministry vision: helping people understand the Bible in context, finding Christian friends, and equipping disciple makers. So, you might be wondering, how are we able to pursue something this ambitious? About a year and a half ago, Kaila’s beloved dad passed away. With his passing, Kaila inherited their expansive family home and horse property on the breathtaking North Shore of Lake Superior, in beautiful Ontario—the place she grew up, where she rode her first bike and horse, and learned to drive. After much prayer and seeking God’s guidance, we decided to sell the property. What you see here came as a result of that incredible blessing, and all the work unfolding in the next year or two will also be funded by it.
Ultimately, it’s all God’s money, God’s land, and God’s resources—we simply want to be faithful stewards, investing what He’s entrusted us with to serve our family, friends, and help countless others experience God and the lessons of the Bible in a whole new way. We prayed and searched high and low, from Texas to Idaho, and God consistently drew us back to this breathtaking location in Northwest Arizona. Imagine: a spot overlooking the world's densest Joshua Tree forest, just minutes from the Grand Canyon, with epic mountains in our backyard! Our deepest desire for this place is to be a haven for renewal. A spot where our kids can visit, Kaila's mom can stay, and friends can gather. But even bigger than that, it's a launchpad for new ministry—a place to invite people to rest, recharge, share meals, grow friendships, and truly be renewed in the desert sun. We're already dreaming of leading hikes, teaching Bible lessons, and hosting retreats.
There’s a lot of exciting work ahead, but we're stepping out in faith, trusting God every step of the way. We’re so excited to share this new chapter with our family, friends, and all of you! If you want to learn more about our ministry, please visit YourJesusJourney.com. And if you have any questions, or just want to send your prayers or encouragement, please fill up that comment section or reach out directly at YourJesusJourney@gmail.com.
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Definitely not trying to ever put a sweater on a cat again 🤣