February 5, 2004

THE HOUSE BUILDER

"For this One has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as He who built the house has more honor than the house" (Hebrews 3:3, NKJV).

In this imagery, Jesus Christ is praised as the worthy builder who deserves the highest honor. Throughout the book of Hebrews, the author emphasizes the preeminence of Jesus. He describes Jesus as superior to angels (see Hebrews 1:4), greater than Abraham (see Hebrews 7:2, 3), and superior to Aaron (see Hebrews 7:11). He also draws a sharp contrast between Christ and Moses, comparing Christ to the master builder and Moses to the steward of the house.

The caretaker of a great edifice may elicit commendation for his care of the building. But the highest honor is for the architect who designed it and for the builder who erected it. Hence, Jesus Christ is deserving of far more honor than Moses. Whereas Moses was the supervisor of the house of Israel, Jesus was the master designer and builder of that house (see Hebrews 8:8).

In relationship to the Christian church, Christ is not only the master builder of God's spiritual house, but He also presides over it as its preeminent head (see Ephesians 2:19:22). The house that Christ builds is made of living stones cut from the quarries of human lives, regenerated and polished to excellence by His sublime workmanship. Every stone bears evidence of the character and nature of the matchless builder Himself.

Christ is both the foundation as well as the builder of His church. "By His sacrifice and mediation, Christ is both the foundation and the builder of the church of God."--The Great Controversy, p. 416. "If we build in cooperation with Him, the structure that we rear will day by day grow more beautiful and more symmetrical under the hand of the Master Builder."--In Heavenly Places, p. 31.

My Prayer Today: Gracious Father, I praise You today because I am a part of Your great spiritual house designed and built by Jesus, the master builder, Amen.