What does "faithful to the One who appointed Him" teach about obedience? Context that Frames the Phrase “He was faithful to the One who appointed Him, just as Moses was faithful in all God’s house.” (Hebrews 3:2) • “He” = Jesus, introduced in 3:1 as Apostle and High Priest. • “Appointed” = officially set in place by the Father for a mission of redemption. • The comparison with Moses highlights perfect obedience in the face of enormous responsibility. Faithful: More Than Reliability In Scripture, faithfulness is loyalty expressed in concrete obedience. • Greek term pistos conveys steadfast trustworthiness. • For Jesus, faithfulness meant unbroken conformity to the Father’s will, every moment, every choice. Three Dimensions of Christ’s Obedience 1. Continuous obedience ‑ John 8:29: “I always do what pleases Him.” ‑ No lapse, no delay, no partial compliance. 2. Costly obedience ‑ Philippians 2:8: “He humbled Himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross.” ‑ Faithfulness endures when it hurts. 3. Commissioned obedience ‑ John 4:34: “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to finish His work.” ‑ Faithfulness flows from knowing we are sent people under authority. “Appointed” Highlights Authority and Accountability • Appointment implies a higher authority; obedience is owed, not negotiated. • Jesus willingly placed Himself under that authority, modeling the proper response for every believer. • Isaiah 50:5 captures the servant-heart: “The Lord GOD has opened My ears, and I have not been rebellious or turned back.” Lessons for Our Own Walk • Obedience begins with recognizing God’s rightful authority over every sphere of life. • Faithfulness is measured over time—steady, consistent steps rather than occasional spurts. • True obedience perseveres through suffering (Hebrews 5:8). • Because Jesus was perfectly faithful, He enables our faithfulness (Hebrews 2:17-18). Key Takeaways to Remember - Faithfulness and obedience are inseparable. - Obedience is the visible proof that we honor the One who appoints us. - Christ’s flawless faithfulness supplies both the example and the empowering grace for our own. |