Heb.3:1 – Therefore, holy brothers, you who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession…
One of the main purposes of the book of Hebrews was to show Jesus as superior to the old Testament prophets and priests. The Jews had held Moses in the highest regard among the prophets and in the same way Aaron was regarded as the greatest of priests. The author of Hebrews shows there is really no comparison to any prophet or priest with Jesus. He is revealed as the very source and Creator of all things and even in His humanity He displayed His superiority. Moses would be considered the great prophet or apostle from the Old Testament, Jesus walked in that role in the New Testament. Moses life and ministry was just a shadow pointing to the fulfillment in Christ. One glimpse of the greatness of Christ causes everyone else to pale in comparison. Jonathan Edwards had an encounter with Christ that left Him overwhelmed with God’s glory. Here are his words as he saw Jesus as his chosen prophet.
“Though it seems to me, that in some respects I was a far better Christian, for two or three years after my first conversion, than I am now; and lived in a more constant delight and pleasure: yet of late years, I have had a more full and constant sense of the absolute sovereignty of God, and a delight in that sovereignty; and have had more of a sense of the glory of Christ, as a mediator, as revealed in the gospel. On one Saturday night in particular, had a particular discovery of the excellency of the gospel of Christ, above all other doctrines; so that I could not but say to myself; “This is my chosen light, my chosen doctrine”: and of Christ, “This is my chosen prophet.” It appeared to me to be sweet beyond all expression, to follow Christ, and to be taught and enlightened and instructed by him; to learn of him, and live to him.”
So Christ is the fulfillment of all of the prophets and priests in the Old Testament. He not only proclaimed God’s word, He is the Word that took on human flesh. He is our prophet and He speaks over us and into us constantly. We can say with Paul, “Consider Jesus, the apostle and High Priest of our confession. We can also say with Jonathan Edwards, “This is my chosen prophet”.
