Jesus has been found worthy of greater honor than Moses, just as the builder of a house has greater honor than the house itself. For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything.
Hebrews 3:3,4
One of the many things that I’ve learned while living here in Florida is that you can hardly throw a rock without hitting a golf course. They’re all over the place. There are more than 1,250 golf courses here in the Sunshine State, easily blowing past California by almost 300.
When it comes to golf, to say that I’m a casual golfer is an understatement. Yes, I do enjoy playing and watching golf, but I’m not all that much of an expert. I look at a golf course and say, “Yep, that’s a golf course.” I couldn’t tell you the difference between a great golf course and an average one.
That’s why I find it fascinating that people make a big deal about who designed the course. They like to put the name of the course architect on the website, especially if they think it will help people spend money.
Here in the town where I live, the Lake Wales Country Club proudly boasts about its rich history and architect. “The course was designed by the world-famous ‘godfather’ of American golf course architecture, Donald Ross.[1]” And according to one source, he’s designed 65 of the top 200 classic courses in the U.S.[2]
Now, I’ve played golf all around this country. I’ve also attended a number of professional golf tournaments and walked on some of the best, most famous golf courses in the world. And to tell you the truth, I’m sorry but I really don’t see what all the fuss is about.
Sure, some of them are beautiful. And yes, some of them don’t have a single weed in the fairway. The sand traps are all filled with gleaming white sand and raked to perfection. The greens are immaculate and smooth as a baby’s bottom. But in the end, they all look pretty much the same. That tells you a little bit about how I see the world.
And while some people will argue who’s the best golf course builder, the writer of this letter to the Hebrews was answering another architect and builder question. Which builder is better: Jesus or Moses?
This is a big deal and important question for the Hebrews. Some of the early Hebrew Christians were thinking about going back to offering sacrifices for their sins. They had moved away from sacrifices when they heard about Jesus and his once-and-for-all sacrifice for all sin on the cross. But now, they’re thinking about going back to their old ways.
So, the writer of this letter asks them an important question to think about. He wants them to compare Jesus to Moses. He’s not putting Moses down, but he’s asking what did each of them build and which one is the better builder?
It comes down to this simple but important question. Who do they want to trust? Now Moses was tops to the Hebrews. God used him to lead the people out of slavery and Egypt. God moved in and through him to part the Red Sea, rain Mana down, from heaven, give them water from a rock in the desert. And to top it all off, God gave his laws to Moses. Now, that’s some resume.
What could Jesus do in comparison to all those accomplishments? He certainly didn’t lead, feed, or give water to a million people. He didn’t even write anything down. But he did some things that Moses couldn’t touch.
Showed that he was God.
Lived a perfect life.
Personally died for all sin.
Rose from the dead.
As significant as Moses was, this makes Jesus’ way more important. Jesus is Immanuel – God with us[3]. Moses died and was seen no more. Jesus died and was seen alive again and again[4].
God is the great builder. He built the universe, but one day it will melt away[5]. He planned for the payment of all our sin so we could be reunited with him forever[6]. And he also built the church of Jesus, and the gates of hell will not overcome it[7].
Just like the writer to the Hebrews is asking, so I’m asking the same question. Where will we put our trust? Are we going to roll the dice and hope that we can save ourselves? Or are we going to put our total trust and hope in the only one who paid for all our sins? As we read these words, the answer sounds so obvious. I hope it is and that you hold onto Jesus with all that you are. With everything you’ve got.
Noodling Questions
What’s the most important thing you’ve built? Explain.
How do we compare things built by different people? Give examples.
What will change when we make God the great builder in our lives?
[3] Matthew 1:23
[4] 1 Corinthians 15:3-8
[5] 2 Peter 3:10
[6] Romans 6:23, 10:9,10
[7] Matthew 16:18
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