A Lent Reflection for Monday, March 6th
By Renee Cunningham
Lectionary reading: Psalm 128; Numbers 21:4-9; Hebrews 3:1-6
Selected passage: Hebrews 3:1-6
Read
Hebrews 3:1-6 New International Version
Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, whom we acknowledge as our apostle and high priest. 2 He was faithful to the one who appointed him, just as Moses was faithful in all God’s house. 3 Jesus has been found worthy of greater honor than Moses, just as the builder of a house has greater honor than the house itself. 4 For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything. 5 “Moses was faithful as a servant in all God’s house,” bearing witness to what would be spoken by God in the future. 6 But Christ is faithful as the Son over God’s house. And we are his house, if indeed we hold firmly to our confidence and the hope in which we glory.
Reflect
Over the last few years, I’ve gotten to know a fair share of home contractors. My husband and I, along with my sister and brother-in-law, bought a home together and have spent much of our energy, time, money and google searches loving it towards what we wanted. While many of these contractors were initially strangers, we got to know them as they taught us new skills, gave input when there was a problem and worked diligently on a projects.
Looking at a builder’s work tells us about who that builder is. We see attention to detail, precision, thoughtful planning, creative problem solving. While we may celebrate the finished product, the accolades and attention belong to the builder.
In these verses in Hebrews, Paul is drawing our attention to Jesus. Jesus’ faithfulness, guidance, and honor outsize the example that we have in Moses. Moses was a steward of God’s house, Jesus is the centerpiece of it. God is building, forming, and putting together a house that belongs to Him and tells of who He is. We are that house: the people of God, brothers and sisters formed together in the wild, the beautiful and always growing family of God. Jesus faithfully tends to the construction of that house.
Paul urges us to stay close to Jesus as God builds His house among us. We don’t just celebrate the work He does, but we marvel at the builder along the way. We watch the builder. We get to know the company, the invitation, the care and the construction of the builder who loves us more than we can imagine.
Respond
Take a few minutes to reflect on God as the builder of and within your story. When you find a quiet spot, take a deep breath and identify what attributes have you noticed about God has a builder. How do those attributes expand your understanding and perspective of God?
Rest
Oh God, thank you for story you are building within us. We desire to be formed and put together by you. Fill us with hope and confidence to trust you through the process.
About the Author
Renée is a Chicago-based ordained pastor who is committed to the training, development and well-being of ministry leaders and clergy in thoughtful learning experiences. Renée spends her time writing, preaching, training preachers and coaching clergy. You can learn more about this work at intheconservatory.com