Consider Jesus

Consider Jesus

-Introduction

-One aspect of attending the FHU Lectureships that I really enjoy and find to be

beneficial – in addition to hearing some outstanding lessons from outstanding speakers –

is getting ideas for lessons of my own.

-As the lectureship progresses, I’ll write ideas on the last couple of pages in my

notebook. Sometimes, by the end of the lectureship, I’ll have quite a few ideas.

-Well, this lesson this morning is an example of this. It comes from a point that Dan

Winkler made in his series of lectures this year.

-It has to do with the book of Hebrews and Jesus.

-So, since I just completed a series of lessons on Hebrews 2 and Jesus, I thought

this lesson would be timely.

-Today’s topic: Consider Jesus – Heb. 3:1, 7:4, 12:3

-Consider Jesus – Hebrews 3:1

-Notice the first word – “Therefore.” What the Hebrew writer is about to write is

connected to that which he had already stated - those things that we considered in our

previous lessons (Jesus is better than the angels but was willing to be made a little lower

than them for a little while so that He could take on flesh, experience human life, offer

deliverance and help by serving as the propitiation for our sins and taking on the role as

our merciful and faithful High Priest.).

-What does he then write? – “consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession”

-“That is, since Christ sustains such a character as has been stated in the previous

chapter; since he is so able to succour those who need assistance; since he assumed our

nature that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest, his character ought to be

attentively considered, and we ought to endeavor fully to understand it” (Barnes).

-The last portion of that statement catches the idea of this word “consider” very well.

-consider – “‘to perceive clearly’…’to understand fully, consider closely’" (Vine’s)

-“Katanoeo is a composite of the verb noeo, ‘to think,’ and the preposition kata,

‘down.’ Hence, in a context that points to Jesus as the Savior who speaks for God, we

are exhorted to place him and his teachings under the microscope of extensive

scrutiny” (Winkler, pg 253).

-Matt. 11:28-30 – “learn of me” (vs 29); 2 Pet. 3:18

-We need to learn about His example to better follow it. We need to learn about His

teachings to better conform to them.

-By carefully examining His life (both words and deeds), we can grow in our

appreciation of Him and in our motivation to better serve Him.

-Consider Jesus (by way of Melchizedek) – Hebrews 7:4

-Amidst the section of Hebrews that focuses on Jesus as a better High Priest, we find this

verse, “See how great this man was to whom Abraham the patriarch gave a tenth of the

spoils!”

-“[T]his man” is a reference to Melchizedek, “king of Salem, priest of the Most High God”

-Melchizedek is an interesting individual in the scriptures. For the sake of this lesson,

we’ll simply not be able to dwell on him much at all. In reality, the scriptures tell us little

about him.

-Yet, the Hebrew writer brings him into the discussion here to teach us about Jesus.

-consider – “The word ‘consider’ in this passage translates the root verb theoreo, ‘theorize.’

In a context that compares Jesus to Melchizedek, we are prodded to ‘theorize’ or connect

the dots of this comparison and see the greatness of Jesus as our High Priest ‘according to

the order of Melchizedek’ (Winkler, pg 255).

-Heb 7:1 – king and priest; 7:2,4 – exalted position (Abraham paid tithes to him.); 7:3 –

eternal nature of Jesus (no record of Melchizedek’s heritage provided in the scripture);

greater than the Levitical priesthood (7:5,9-10); mediator of a better covenant (7:11-14);

chosen/appointed by God (7:17,21)

-Consider Jesus – Hebrews 12:3

-We considered Hebrews 12:1-2 in a previous lesson. The Hebrew writer is encouraging these

Christians to continue in the “race” to its finish. He warns them against growing weary.

-In so doing He writes, “Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against

himself, so that you may no grow weary or fainthearted” (12:3).

-consider – “Here, the word consider translates analogidzomai which is a composite of the verb

logidzomai, ‘to think (cf. our English word ‘logic’) and the preposition ana, ‘up.’ We are,

thus, encouraged to ‘think up’ to Jesus and be encouraged by his example of endurance”

(Winkler, pg 258).

-If you want to be built up, then “think up” to Jesus. Just think about what He endured.

“Hostility” is translated from “antilego” (anti – against; lego – to speak). Think of the

hostility, the evil speaking, the opposition, the persecution.

-Summary and Invitation

-So, let’s consider Jesus. Let’s examine Him under a microscope and learn more about His

life, His works, His teachings.

-Isn’t it wonderful that we have a Savior that holds up under the microscope!

-Let’s theorize about Jesus – use proper logic – to learn more about Him. By better

understanding Who He is, we can better comprehend His greatness and thereby be

encouraged, comforted and motivated.

-Let’s “think up” to Jesus. “Attentively reflect on his example that you may be able to bear

your trials in a proper manner” (Barnes).

-Matt. 11:28-30 – Won’t you come to Jesus and continue to reflect upon Him? You initially

come to Him by obeying the Gospel: Believe (John 3:16; 8:24), Confess (Matt. 10:32, Rom

10:9-10), Repent (Luke 13:3,5; Acts 17:30); Be Baptized (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38); Walk in

Newness of Life (Rom. 6:3-4; Eph. 4:22-24).

-If you’ve already obeyed the Gospel, are you keeping your thoughts and focus on Jesus. If

you’ve become distracted and have drifted from faithfulness, acknowledge your shortcomings,

repent and seek forgiveness through prayer (1 John 1:7-9; Acts 8:22-24).

Works Cited:

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