Jesus Is Greater Than Moses and the Promised Land
As we dive into week two of our series Jesus is Greater, I want to start by asking you a question: Have you ever experienced something in life that you thought was good, only to find out later that there was something far better? Maybe you thought you had found the perfect job, the right relationship, or the best way of life—only to discover that there was something better waiting for you. In this second week of the series, we’re going to explore how Jesus is greater than Moses and the Promised Land—two things the Jewish people of the first century held in the highest regard.
Understanding the Context of Hebrews
The book of Hebrews is written to Jewish Christians in the first century. These believers were facing intense persecution—not only from the Roman government but also from their fellow Jewish leaders who rejected Jesus as the Messiah. Hebrews was written to encourage them to remain faithful and to show them that Jesus is greater than anything they could go back to in their old lives, even the most revered figures and promises of their faith.
The writer of Hebrews introduces two powerful truths: First, Jesus is greater than anything they could possibly worship, and second, they should remain faithful, even in the face of persecution. Last week, we learned that Jesus is greater than any messenger that had come before—greater than the prophets, greater than angels, and even greater than Moses and the Torah (the first five books of the Old Testament).
But if there was anything that would have been harder to swallow for a first-century Jewish believer, it would be what we’re talking about today. Today, we’ll learn that Jesus is greater than Moses and greater than the Promised Land.
Jesus is greater than Moses
For the Jewish people in the first century, Moses was the GOAT (Greatest of All Time). He was the one who delivered them from slavery in Egypt, led them through the wilderness, and brought them to the edge of the Promised Land. Moses was their hero, their deliverer, and a figure of unimaginable importance.
Yet, the writer of Hebrews says something radical: Jesus is greater than Moses. This would have been a shocking claim for Jewish readers, who saw Moses as the ultimate leader and savior of their people.
To make this point, the author of Hebrews draws several parallels between the lives of Moses and Jesus. Both Moses and Jesus survived government decrees that sought to kill them as infants. Both were raised under unusual circumstances—Moses was raised in Pharaoh’s palace while Jesus grew up in humble Nazareth. Both performed miracles: Moses turned his staff into a snake and healed the leprous, while Jesus healed the sick, gave sight to the blind, and even raised the dead.
Moses, however, was a servant of God, whereas Jesus is the Son of God. Moses established the old covenant (the law), but Jesus fulfilled it and brought a new covenant based on mercy and grace. Moses led the Israelites to the Promised Land but was unable to bring them into it; Jesus, on the other hand, leads us to eternal rest and peace.
In Hebrews 3:1-6, the writer declares that Jesus deserves far more glory than Moses because Jesus is the Son over God’s house, while Moses was merely a servant in God’s house. Moses was a forerunner—a prototype of the greater reality to come in Jesus.
The Promised Land: A Temporary Rest vs. Ultimate Rest
For the Jewish people, the Promised Land wasn’t just a physical location. It symbolized rest, peace, and security after 400 years of slavery in Egypt. It represented the fulfillment of God’s promises to Abraham and his descendants. But the writer of Hebrews points out that the Promised Land, as significant as it was, was only a temporary picture of the true rest that Jesus offers.
In Hebrews 4:8-9, the author explains that if the Promised Land had truly provided ultimate rest, God wouldn’t have spoken of another day of rest still to come. That rest is found in Jesus. The Promised Land was physical and temporary, but the rest that Jesus provides is spiritual and eternal.
Whereas entering the Promised Land depended on the Israelites’ obedience to the law, Jesus’ rest depends on faith in Him. The Israelites failed to keep the law, and as a result, many never entered the rest of the Promised Land. But through faith in Jesus, everyone who follows Him can enter into the ultimate rest, a permanent and eternal rest in heaven.
The Warning: Don’t Go Back to What’s Lesser
So, what does this mean for us today? Just like the first-century Jewish believers who were being persecuted and tempted to revert to the old ways of Moses and the law, we, too, can face times of difficulty and hardship that make us want to turn back.
When life gets tough, we may find ourselves asking questions like: “If Jesus is so good, why is this happening to me? Why am I sick? Why am I struggling? Why am I in pain?” We might be tempted to turn back to what we know, what’s familiar, or what we think is “good enough.”
But Hebrews 4:12-13 offers a sobering reminder: “For the word of God is alive and powerful… nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes.” God sees everything about us—our thoughts, our desires, our struggles. And we are accountable to Him.
However, there’s good news. Hebrews 4:14-16 tells us that we have a great high priest, Jesus, who understands our weaknesses. He faced the same temptations we do, yet He did not sin. And because of Jesus, we can approach God’s throne of grace with boldness and find mercy and grace when we need it most.
What Does This Mean for Us?
When we face trials, difficulties, or moments of doubt, we can find encouragement in knowing that Jesus is greater than anything we may be tempted to return to. He is our ultimate deliverer who leads us into the ultimate rest.
- Hold Tight to Jesus: In the face of hardship, don’t run back to lesser things. Hold firmly to your faith in Jesus.
- Approach God Boldly: You now have direct access to God through Jesus. You don’t need a high priest or a temple. You can go directly to the Father.
- Find Mercy and Grace: In our moments of vulnerability, God offers us mercy (withholding punishment we deserve) and grace (giving us blessings we don’t deserve).
Jesus is greater than Moses, greater than the Promised Land, and greater than anything else we could turn to. As we face challenges in our own lives, let’s remember that Jesus leads us to the ultimate rest—an eternal peace with God.