The Biblical Illustrator Hebrews (Ch.3 4) (A Compilation)

《The Biblical Illustrator – Hebrews (Ch.3~4)》(A Compilation)

03 Chapter 3

Verses 1-19

Verse 1

Hebrews 3:1

Wherefore, holy brethren

The heavenly calling

“Wherefore” connects generally with chaps, 1.
, if., where Christ is Apostle (Hebrews 1:1-3) and High Priest Hebrews 2:9, &c.), though immediately with “faithful” (Hebrews 2:17) and the closing words of chap. if. The author had in view this comparison with Moses, and prepared the way for it by using “faithful” in Hebrews 2:17. The author had called believers “sanctified” and “sons” Hebrews 2:11-13); recalling this, and realising what it implied, he addresses the Hebrews as “holy brethren.” Further, he had set before them what the great salvation was to which they were destined (Hebrews 2:3), and to which the Captain of their salvation had attained, even lordship over all things in the world to come (Hebrews 2:5, &c.); and as called to this heavenly world and already tasting its powers (Hebrews 6:5; Hebrews 2:4), he addresses them as partakers of “a heavenly calling”; that is, sharing in a call to the possession of the heavenly world to come. In the word “heavenly” there is struck for the first time, in words at least, an antithesis of great importance in the Epistle, that of this world and heaven; in other words, that of the merely material and transient and the ideal and abiding. The things of this world are material, unreal, transient; those of heaven are ideal, true, and eternal. Heaven is the world of realities, of things themselves (Hebrews 9:23), of which the things here are but “copies.” There is the true Tabernacle (Hebrews 8:2); the city that bath the foundations (Hebrews 11:10); the heavenly Jerusalem and Mount Zion Hebrews 12:22); the kingdom that cannot be shaken (Hebrews 12:27-28); the true “country” which the patriarchs sought (Hebrews 11:16)--all the eternal real things of which the things of this world are but shadows (Hebrews 10:1); and to these things we are called and are come, for this heavenly world projects itself into this present life like headlands of a new world into the ocean. This world of realities has been revealed, for Christ, who belongs to it, has come from it, and has opened up the way to it by entering it through death as our Forerunner Hebrews 6:20) and High Priest (Hebrews 10:19). This real world is the abode of God, where He is as He is in Himself. It is that which He has destined to be put in subjection to man as his final possession Hebrews 2:5-8). Being true and consisting of things themselves, it cannot be shaken, but remains after the great convulsions under which things that are made pass away (Hebrews 12:27). Then it may be called earth or heaven, for earth and heaven coincide. (A. B. Davidson, LL. D.)

The causes of men’s being holy, and of calling them so

This excellent prerogative of being holy cannot arise from men’s selves. “Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? not one” (Job 14:4). “But every good and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights” (James 1:17). This Father of lights communicateth holiness to men two ways.

1. By imputing unto them the righteousness of His Son. Thus we are said to be “made the righteousness of God in Christ” (2Corinthians 5:21), and Christ is said to “be made of God righteousness unto us” (1Corinthians 1:30).

2. By conveying His Spirit into us, who altereth our nature and disposition, and enableth us to perform the works of righteousness. In this respect He is not only called the Holy Ghost, but also the Spirit of holiness Romans 1:4); and sanctification is said to be of the Spirit (2Thessalonians 2:13), because it is wrought in us by the Spirit of God. Thus this excellent title “Holy” gives no matter of boasting unto man (2Corinthians 4:7); but it giveth great cause of glorying in God. The apostle here giveth these Hebrews this title not so much in regard of their parentage, because the root from whence they sprouted was holy Romans 11:16); for the partition wall betwixt Jew and Gentile was now broken down, and all that were of the faith of Abraham were counted to be of Abraham’s seed (Galatians 3:7).

The apostle therefore here gives them this title

1. In regard to their profession, whereby they were distinguished from profane persons.

2. In regard of his opinion of them; for he judged them to be true members of the holy Church (1Corinthians 6:11). Thus he usually styleth all to whom he wrote “saints”; that is, holy ones. How did the apostle know that they were holy? By their holy profession; for the ground of judging others is not certainty of knowledge, but the rule of love (1Corinthians 13:7). (W. Gouge.)

Directions to be holy

That we may be such “holy brethren” as are here set down

1. Be well informed in the nature of holiness. If the mark be mistaken, the more diligence we use, the further we shall be off from it. The faster a traveller goes in a wrong way, the farther he may be from the place to which he desires to go. The Jews, being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, were farthest off from true holiness.

2. “Cleanse yourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit.” Thus may you “perfect holiness in the fear of God” (2Corinthians 7:1). It is a course which all of all sorts observe for perfecting a thing, namely, first to remove the impediments; thus physicians purge out peccant humours, chirurgians draw out festering matter, husbandmen stock up broom, briars, thorns, and all noisome weeds.

3. Have special care of your company. Avoid the society of unholy ones Psalms 16:3). That this means is very powerful is evident (Proverbs 13:20; Proverbs 22:24-25).

4. Be constant in using such means as God hath sanctified for attaining holiness; for God will be found in His own way. The means are

5. Be instant and constant in prayer, and that for the Holy Spirit which is promised to those that ask Him (Luke 11:13). This Spirit it is which makes us holy.

6. Be patient under crosses; for God cloth chasten His, that they might be “partakers of His holiness” (Hebrews 12:10). (W. Gouge.)

Partakers of the heavenly calling

The heavenly trilling

The calling of saints is here commended unto us by this attribute “heavenly.” It is here in this place attributed to saints’ calling

1. To distinguish it from earthly callings.

2. To show the excellency thereof; for excellent things are called heavenly; great, deep, excellent mysteries are called heavenly (John 3:12).

3. To declare the end of this calling, which is to bring us to a heavenly kingdom (1Thessalonians 2:12), namely, an inheritance incorruptible, reserved in heaven (1Peter 1:4). This particular excellency here mentioned by the apostle is of force to raise up our hearts unto heaven, seeking the things that are above. It doth also instruct us how to walk worthy of this calling, namely, by an inward heavenly disposition and an outward heavenly conversation. (W. Gouge.)

The superiority of Christianity

I. THE DISTINCTION BETWEEN THE JEWISH AND CHRISTIAN DISPENSATIONS IN RESPECT TO THEIR NATURE.

1. This distinction of nature is set forth in the word by which the apostle designates the Christian’s vocation. He terms it “the heavenly calling.”

(a) “Brethren” by kinship closer and more enduring than that formed by natural bonds.

(b) “Holy,” in the sense of being set apart by God the Father, through Christ His Son by the Holy Spirit, to one heavenly and sacred aim--the service of God alone.

(a) The word rendered “ consider “ means to observe well, to consider attentively, to ponder thoughtfully.

(b) The word “apostle” (literally, “one sent”), as applied to our Lord here, is peculiar, this being the only place where this special term is applied to Him. We may regard the word “apostle” as used to avoid ambiguity, and also at the same time to set forth our Lord as having been “sent” of God, and therefore divinely authorised, as was Moses.

(c) The expression “the High Priest of our profession,” suggestively represents the Divine authority, and also the redemptive feature so prominent in the Christian system.

II. THE DISTINCTION BETWEEN CHRIST AND MOSES IN THE RELATION THEY SUSTAINED TO THEIR RESPECTIVE DISPENSATIONS.

I. Christ is here represented as being the owner of the “house” He served, Moses being only servant of the “house” he served.

2. This ownership in the “household of faith” sustains the apostle in his next position--that Christ has a higher claim to homage and honour than Moses.

3. The prominent and practical characteristic here mentioned should not be lost sight of in connection with Christ’s superiority to Moses, namely, His faithfulness.

III. PRACTICAL AND SOLEMN INFERENCES FROM THE PRECEDING POSITIONS.

1. An earnest lesson from the history of the past (Hebrews 3:7-12).

2. Practical counsel as to what they should do (Hebrews 3:13).

3. The only reliable evidence of our union with Christ (Hebrews 3:14).

4. The essential importance of every-day religion (Hebrews 3:15-18).

5. The fearful cause of all defection from God and of all sin against God--“unbelief” (Hebrews 3:19).

Consider the High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus

Christ to be appreciated

A young lady, a novice in art, said to her father, who was an accomplished man of taste, “Father, I cannot enjoy the works of the old masters.” “Then,” said he “look at them till you can.” Even so, if one were to say, “I cannot appreciate the Cross,” our earnest reply would be, “Study it till you can.” (C. Clemance, D. D.)

Christ should be contemplated

It is recorded of a celebrated philosopher that, pursuing his investigations on the subject of light, he ventured on a bold experiment. Without the protection of smoked glass, he turned his naked eye on the sun, and kept it fixed there for awhile. When he removed it, such was the impression made upon his eyes, that whichever way he looked, upwards, downwards, right or left, he saw nothing but the sun. The last thing he saw at night, the first thing he saw in the morning, was the sun. What a blessed thing it would be for us if we had some such view of Christ, if the glory and love of Him who died, and was buried, and rose again for us, Jesus Christ our Lord, was thus impressed upon our souls! (A. C. Price, B. A.)

Consider Jesus

Hazlitt once copied a painting of Titian’s, and showed it one evening to his friends, Charles and Mary Cowden Clarke. It was fine, but as he held the light to it, and thus unconsciously showed his own intellectual head, square “potential forehead,” and eyes full of earnest fire, they felt that he was really the picture to gaze at. In like manner, Jesus lifts the light of truth to the picture of duty, but He also grandly embodied it in His daily life. (T. R. Stevenson.)

Consider Jesus and banish frivolity

The wise picture-dealer at Oxford was right, who, handing to an undergraduate the fine engraving of an ancient master, said, “Hang this on your wails, sir, and it will soon banish all the pictures of jockeys and ballet-girls.” (F. W. Farrar, D. D.)

Priesthood of Christ

About a hundred years ago a Welsh boy heard a sermon upon the priesthood of Jesus Christ. It was a new idea to the boy, filling him with astonishment and delight. The doctrine was so excellent and sweet to him, that without delay he opened his heart to it. To this day all the Welsh revere his memory, for that boy became the Rev. Thomas Charles of Bala, the apostle of his native land, the founder of day and Sabbath schools and of the Bible Society. And such a faith in Christ will give you, too, a true and fruitful life. (J. Wells, M. A.)

The advantages derived from considering Jesus

I. The solemn consideration of Jesus Christ may well RECONCILE YOU TO ANY DIFFICULT OR TRYING CIRCUMSTANCES in which you may be placed. Compared to His what are all the duties which we have to perform, or any sufferings which we have to endure? How few have to “resist unto blood, striving against sin.” Every repining thought must be subdued.

II. “Consider the Apostle and High Priest of your profession,” and you will see in Him A MODEL FOR YOUR CONDUCT, and will learn how to act in circumstances of difficulty or distress. Amid injustice and ill-treatment, which so easily discompose the mind and render one’s duty so peculiarly difficult, Jesus has taught us how wisdom, integrity, and goodness would act. Now the principles which formed the character and governed the whole conduct of Jesus are evidently these two--faith in God and love to mankind. Clearly discovering in His character and conduct the wonderful efficacy of these principles, we must fix them in our souls if we wish to fulfil the more difficult duties of life or rest in composure and peace of mind amid its various ills.

III. To consider Jesus will ANIMATE AND ENCOURAGE YOU AMID THE DIFFICULTIES AND ILLS OF LIFE. He foresaw all the extent of His sufferings, and “ in all things made like unto His brethren,” He felt all the depression natural to the human mind in such disheartening prospects; but declining any exertion of supernatural powers, He resigns Himself to the violence of wicked men, with no other defence but that Divine grace and those heavenly principles which the humblest of His followers may through His mediation attain. And can His admirable conduct be exhibited to us in vain? Can it be contemplated without exciting our efforts and prompting our imitation? (R. Boog, D. D.)

The Christian and his Redeemer

I. A DESCRIPTION OF TRUE CHRISTIANS.

1. A common character: “Holy.”

2. A common relationship: “Brethren.”

3. A common privilege: “Partakers,” &c. A call from heaven and to heaven.

II. A DESCRIPTION OF THE GREAT REDEEMER.

1. The Apostle of our profession. Sent from God to us.

2. The High Priest of our profession. By Him we draw near to God, even as by Him God draws near to us.

3. The Christ Jesus--the anointed Deliverer.

III. THE OBLIGATIONS OF TRUE CHRISTIANS TO THE GREAT REDEEMER, it Consider.” Men’s characters are formed by their thinkings. Meditation is the most constant and influential operation of our nature. (U. R. Tibetans.)

The Advent call

“Consider,” then, it is here directed, “the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus.” Seeing what He is, according to the statements of the two previous chapters; how great, how Divine, how human, how merciful, and how faithful; how sufficient in His atonement for sin, how experienced in His sympathy with the tempted; consider Him, fix your thoughts upon Him. Now in what aspects are we here charged to consider Christ?

1. As “the Apostle of our profession”; that is, of our confession, or common faith. An apostle means an emissary, or ambassador, or representative--one who comes to us with a message or commission, in this case from God Himself. We ought to be transacting business with Him, if I might so express it, every day; dealing with Him as to the concerns of our life, inward and outward, and conscious that, in so doing, we are dealing also with God Himself.

2. Again, the High Priest of our confession. You know how large a part of this Epistle is occupied with the subject thus introduced: the priesthood of Jesus Christ as satisfying all those wants which any other priesthood could only indicate and impress. “Hark the glad sound! the Saviour comes”--why is it a glad sound? It is not because we wanted an Apostle, and because we wanted a High Priest? Put Christ out of sight altogether for a moment, and then see how dark life is, the present and the future. See what it is to be conscious of sin, and then suppose that there were no Christ, no Saviour, no Propitiation, and no Intercessor! Yes, we know that we shall all want Him; as our Apostle, as God’s representative, that is; as our all-wise Teacher, our Revealer of God as He is, as the Person in whom as well as by whom God deals with our souls, and bids us also to deal with Him; want Him also as our High Priest, our Sacrifice and Propitiation for sin, our merciful Intercessor, our faithful Advocate with God. (Dean Vaughan.)

Christians invited to consider Christ

I. THE CHARACTERS ADDRESSED: “ Holy brethren.”

1. All real Christians are

2. Christians are “ holy”

3. They are partakers of a calling

II. THE ADVICE GIVEN.

1. Christ was a Divine Messenger. He is a Divine Person. He was divinely John 4:34; John 5:23; John 7:16).

2. Christ was a voluntary messenger. He came willingly (Hebrews 10:5-9). The undertaking was arduous, but “ He gave Himself for us.”

3. Christ was a merciful messenger. He came not to destroy, but to save; and it was all free, unparalleled mercy.

4. He is the High Priest of our profession.

5. The advice given is, “Consider the apostle,” &c. Consideration is the exercise of thought, not a hasty glance at an object, but a deliberate exercise of the mind. Hence we should consider Christ.