“Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus” (Hebrews 3:1).

Here we are told to CONSIDER Christ, as our Great High Priest. The term consider: (κατανοέω – katano-eh-o) means to observe, to give careful consideration, to contemplate. In Acts 7:31-32, this term is translated “behold.” Moses saw a burning bush and was enthralled by what he saw. He carefully drew near to “behold” it… to pay close attention to it, to observe it, to consider the significance of what he was looking at. In Hebrews 3:1, believers are told to draw near to God and to CONSIDER Christ, our Great High Priest. We are to give careful consideration to Him, to contemplate Him, to behold Him. Again, this speaks of FOCUS on who Christ is.

The purpose for focusing on Christ is significant in the context of the previous chapter. In Hebrews 2:1, believers are warned of the possibility of “slipping away” from truth about Christ. In Hebrews 2:2, the author warned his readers that God chastened His people in the Old Testament for slipping away from truth delivered by angels. Then in verse 3 the warning continues: How much more will God chasten His sons in this age if we slip away from truth delivered by His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, and His apostles!

Hebrews was addressed to a group of first century Hebrew Christians. They trusted in Christ as their Savior, and began running the race. At first they did well. In Heb.10:32-36, the author reminds them of their early days as Christians. At first, they ran well and were willing to suffer loss for Christ. At first they took “joyfully the spoiling of their goods” because they focused on Christ and things above. They knew that they had in heaven a better and an enduring substance.

However, as time went by, they became weary of the race and weary of suffering for Christ. Many of them were contemplating returning to Judaism and the sacrificial Temple worship in order to make the persecution stop. They had had enough. They had grown weary in well doing and weary in running the race. They wanted to quit running. The author reminds them that what they needed now was patience (endurance). They began sprinting but grew worn out when they discovered that this race was not a 40 yard dash but a seemingly never ending marathon! Anybody can sprint for a while, but to finish a marathon you need patience – endurance. In Hebrews chapter 12 the author tells them how to obtain that patient endurance in the race: by LOOKING unto Jesus… by keeping focused on Christ – who ran the race before us! Or as the author said in Hebrews 3:1, by CONSIDERING Him, our Great High Priest. Focusing in faith on Christ enables us to do the impossible. It enables us to run a race and keep on running far beyond where our puny strength will take us. It will enable us to run with patient endurance. It will keep us from slipping away, falling behind, and from losing our reward. Focus is everything.

Notice how Christ (the object of our focus) is described in this context. Hebrews 2:17 states that Christ was made like unto His brethren. He took on human flesh and was tested in all points as we are – apart from sin. He ran the race before us, successfully passed the test, and therefore, we too can pass the test. He entered into glory as our forerunner (Hebrews 6:20) and He paved the way for many sons to follow, running behind in His steps. And our souls are anchored to Him who is within the veil, so that ultimately nothing can separate us from Him, or from our final destination. No matter what happens in life down here, reaching the goal is certain. And note also that here we are told to consider (contemplate – focus on) Christ as our merciful and faithful High Priest. As a High Priest, Christ is one of us. He became a Man. And He represents us before the Father. He stands before the Father as our Propitiation – we are righteous IN Him. Hebrews 2:18 tells us that this High Priest suffered, was tempted, and tested along the course as He ran the race. And His ministry to us is faithful – reliable… enduring. His ministry is also merciful – compassionate. He knows experientially what we are going through. He is touched with the feeling of our infirmities as we run the race. And therefore, He is able to succor (help; come to the aid of) us. The term “succor” is in the present tense indicating that He is continually able to help us. He ever liveth to make intercession for us as we run the race (Hebrews 7:25). His ministry as our Great High Priest in the heavenly sanctuary on our behalf never changes.

Consider Luke 22:31-32: “And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not…” The only way we can run and endure is by faith, focused on Christ. In those times when our faith is frail and feeble and we feel like quitting, Christ prays for us. We can be assured that our faith will never fail. It may grow weak, but it can never fail. What a Great High Priest we have! He stands at the finish line, encouraging us along… praying for us… keeping us afloat as long as our eyes are upon Him. Thank you Lord!