BUILDER

The Hebrews, to whom these words were written, held the memory of Moses, the man of God, in high esteem. It was he who led the nation from Egypt’s bondage to the Promised Land. He was the law-giver and the introducer of the Levitical worship system. Their whole way of life had been influenced by him. With this in mind, Moses is introduced as being Christ-like in his faithfulness in relation to God’s house. But there the similarity ends!

Christ is ‘worthy of more glory than Moses’. Why? Firstly, because He is the Builder. As the architect and builder, He is greater than the building! His character is seen expressed in the building. It all brings glory to Him. Secondly, because He is God. Every building has a builder, ‘but he that built all things is God’. Christ is the universal architect and builder. Thirdly, because He is over the house, whereas Moses was ‘in’ the house. Fourthly, He is Son, while Moses was no more than a ‘servant’. Although a faithful servant, Moses was just a part of the house.

Moses now recedes and we are brought into the picture, ‘whose house are we’. The words of Christ to Peter were ‘I will build my church’, Matt. 16.18. Peter never forgot that and some thirty years later writes that believers, as living stones, ‘are built up a spiritual house’, 1 Pet. 2. 5.

On believing, we were built into that unseen edifice, ‘the church, which is his body’, Eph. 1. 22-23. At a later stage, under the good hand of God, we became members of a local church, described as ‘house of God’, 1 Tim. 3. 15, and that brought responsibilities. All of God’s people are builders. Paul called himself ‘a wise masterbuilder’, 1 Cor. 3. 10. He teaches us that each one is building in the local church. That is not an option, it is a fact. We each have an influence for good or ill and our building will come under scrutiny at the judgement seat of Christ. Wood, hay and stubble will be burned up. Gold, silver and precious stones will endure the fire, 1 Cor. 3.12-13. So as we consider Him who is the Great Builder, let us make it our goal to build for His pleasure. May our building be positive, constructive and for His approval as the Master Builder.