“…consider Jesus, the Apostle and High Priest of our confession;”
(Hebrews 3:1)
Christianity calls us not only to trust but to also think. Trust Christ and Think Scripturally about Christ. In Hebrews 3:1, two directives are presented by two words: Consider Christ. “Consider”, – direct the mind in order to understand; weigh, study, contemplate, reflect, ponder. The word is elsewhere translated “beholding” or “perceiving.” This Scripture gives a direct and emphatic command to ‘consider’, followed by the specific object of our contemplation and thought: “Jesus”.
To obey this scriptural command we must think and meditate on Who Jesus Christ is and What He has done. “Jesus Christ is the end of all, and the center to which all tends. Whoever knows Him knows the reason of everything” (Pascal).
There are at least five reasons why we are to consider Jesus Christ.
First, consider Him so that we will know ourselves. “The Christian religion, then, teaches men these two truths; that there is a God whom men can know and that there is a corruption in their nature which renders them unworthy of Him” (Pascal). Knowing Christ and intently pondering what Scripture reveals about Him gives us a correct picture of ourselves. If we have a Scriptural picture of our own heart and mind, we will be driven to Christ as our only hope of salvation; and, our only Anchor and security in our Christian life.
Second, consider Christ the only Savior and Giver of life eternal. “This is eternal life; that they may know You, the only true God and the One you have sent, Jesus Christ.” We cannot trust in Him if we do not know Him in His Person and work, “But how can they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe without hearing about Him? (Rom. 10:14). Saving faith comes to us from God through the preaching of the gospel, “So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the message about Christ” (Rom. 10:17).
Third, we are to consider Jesus in every act of our life. Everything we think and do should revolve around Him. Every decision should be in accordance with His will and for His glory, “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for God’s glory” (1 Cor. 10:31). Saturate the mind with His Word and pray for wisdom. Be possessed by Him. Paul was so absorbed with the knowledge of the Person of Christ that he could refer to the gospel of Christ as “my gospel” (Rom. 2:16; 16:25; 2 Tim. 2:8).
Fourth, we are to consider Jesus Christ in His Person and work to such a degree that our lives will reflect Him, – like the moon reflects the light and glory of the sun. We are to reflect the glory of Christ as He reflects the glory of the Father, (John. 17:18, 22-23). We are living epistles to be read by men, (2 Cor. 3:2).
Fifth, we must consider Christ Jesus so that our souls will worship Him. Gaze upon Him with the eye of faith; behold His glory as revealed in Scripture by the Spirit of Christ. “God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth” (John. 4:24).
Do you know Christ? Have you seen Him? Have you seen yourself? Does He guide your mind and life? Do people see Him in you? Is Christ what you value most and worship? He is the center of all creation and history. He is the reason of everything. What a tragedy it would be to miss the One Who is all that and more. Consider that!
“…This is the will of My Father: that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day” (John 6:40).