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Jesus Gives Us Rest - Hebrews 4
Jesus Gives Us Rest - Hebrews 4
On the 7th day, God rested from all His labors of creating (Gen. 2:2; Heb. 4.4). Years later, God instructed Israel to rest from their labor on the 7th day (Ex. 20:8-10). He also gave them ‘sabbath rests’ such as the Year of Jubilee every 50th year. They then had such instructions the whole time they wandered in the desert.
Joshua then led them to enter, conquer, and dwell in the land. However, years later, David would write of this coming rest: “He again fixes a certain day, “Today,” saying through David after so long a time just as has been said before, “Today if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts” There remained a rest that they had not entered. Not through keeping the Sabbath day, not through observing the sabbatical years. Not through entering the promised land. Not under the kingship of David. (Psa. 95:8-11; Heb. 4:7)
“9 So there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God.” (Hebrews 4:9). Jesus said: “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. 29 "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:28-29). Such rest was not from physical labor, but a spiritual rest for the soul.
We that realized our sin and guilt, also came to realize that we could not undo this by our own efforts. As Paul expressed it: “6 For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.” (Romans 5:6). Through the death of Jesus we are forgiven.
Yet, to such followers of Jesus, we read
3 For we who have believed enter that rest…” (Hebrews 4:3), that is, ‘are entering’ (a present tense ongoing action). The write continued: “Therefore let us be diligent to enter that rest, so that no one will fall, through following the same example of disobedience.” (Hebrews 4:11).
This rest that Jesus provides will be fully culminated when we die (or at the 2nd coming). John wrote: “13 And I heard a voice from heaven, saying, "Write, 'Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on!'" "Yes," says the Spirit, "so that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow with them."” (Revelation 14:13).
Our laboring now is under an easy yoke and a light burden in that we find in Jesus the forgiveness of our sins. This easy yoke and light burden is to be faithful, but realize that such concept of faithfulness includes the provision for the forgiveness of our sins. We strive to not sin, but find that we don’t always measure up! But, through repentance (Acts 8.22) and confession with prayer (1 John 1:7-9), we are forgiven. Thus the admonition labor to enter His rest. Are you living faithfully – being faithful unto death?
Hugh DeLong
