God’s promise of entering his place of rest still stands, so we ought to tremble with fear that some of you might fail to get there. For this Good News – that God has prepared a place of rest – has been announced to us just as it was to them. But it did them no good because they didn’t believe what God told them. For only we who believe can enter his place of rest.
Hebrews 4:1-3Hebrews 4:1-3
English: Contemporary English Version (1999) - CEV
4 1 The promise to enter the place of rest is still good, and we must take care that none of you miss out. 2 We have heard the message, just as they did. But they failed to believe what they heard, and the message did not do them any good. 3 . Only people who have faith will enter the place of rest. It is just as the Scriptures say, “God became angry and told the people, ‘You will never enter my place of rest!’ ” God said this, even though everything has been ready from the time of creation.
WP-Bible plugina, NLT
Moses. The name has always rung with a sense of power. To the Jews it was a name that reminded them of God’s voice and presence among them. It reminded them of the Law and their covenant relationship with the God of the universe. But the author of Hebrews points out that Jesus far outstrips Moses. Moses was certainly faithful in God’s house, but only as a servant. His work was an illustration of the truths God would reveal later. But Christ, the faithful Son, was in charge of the entire household. (Hebrews 3:5-6Hebrews 3:5-6
English: Contemporary English Version (1999) - CEV
5 Moses was a faithful servant and told God's people what would be said in the future.
6 But Christ is the Son in charge of God's people. And we are those people, if we keep on being brave and don't lose hope.
WP-Bible plugin, NLT)
The point in all this is an irony. Those who cling to Moses and the law are described as the same sort who rebelled in the desert, unwilling to follow God’s direction and leadership. And because of their unrest, their unwillingness to do things God’s way, God swore that they would never enter his rest. Hebrews is written to those who were questioning returning to the relative safety of their traditions, leaving Christ and his life-giving message. They were considering trading the Spirit and the promise for something that was “easy”, familiar. But God’s desire is that they – and we – would believe him and obey, and enter his rest.
In the desert, the hope of the people had been the land of Canaan, their promised possession and a tangible representation of God’s rest. But God speaks of another rest, freedom from our labors, with a challenge to do our best to enter that rest. (Hebrews 4:9-10Hebrews 4:9-10
English: Contemporary English Version (1999) - CEV
9 But God has promised us a Sabbath when we will rest, even though it has not yet come.
10 . On that day God's people will rest from their work, just as God rested from his work.
WP-Bible plugin, NLT) This rest is found in Jesus, as we follow him and reject whatever holds us back from following. Hebrews is crystal clear. Jesus desires our faithful perseverance if we would enter into this rest with him!
Take time to open up Hebrews 4, then ask yourself the following:
- The author of Hebrews doesn’t view God’s rest as a light thing, as a nicety for believers. How can we pursue Gods’ rest in our own lives?
- For only we who believe can enter his place of rest. What must we believe if we want to enter this rest? What does it mean here to “believe”?
- What most hinders you from experiencing real rest? What is one action you can take today to overcome this obstacle?
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