August 2, 2020
For the next 13 days we will be spending time together walking through the book of Hebrews! Hebrews is written to Jewish Christians who were undergoing persecution for their faith and considering running back to Judaism. The author of Hebrews takes an in-depth look at the practices and regulations of the Old Testament as articulated in the Torah and argues for how Jesus is both superior to each of them and supreme over all of them! The author also warns his audience of the grave danger facing them should they choose to now reject Jesus and return to their former way of life. These warnings can and should make us feel uncomfortable as we read through the book together; allow the Spirit to do what He wants to do in your heart through them! Overall, the message of Hebrews is that Jesus, the Son of God as well as our Savior and Messiah, is infinitely superior to anything or anyone else we could give our lives to, and He is worthy of all our devotion and worship. Jesus is greater!
The author continues his warning from the previous chapter, here asserting that we should fear and obey God while there is still time to enter into His promised rest! Those who followed Moses failed to enter in because of unbelief and subsequent disobedience, but the author states that the “Today” David references in Psalm 95 is an indication of the fact that there is still time! As long as Jesus has not yet returned, there is still time to hear, believe, and enter into the promised Sabbath rest of God!
The audience is then urged to strive to enter into that rest by persevering in the faith, being warned that God’s Word will reveal even the deepest thoughts and intentions of their heart and that they will have to give an account before the Lord, from whom nothing can remain hidden, on the last day.
Finally, the author encourages his audience to hold fast to their confession in view of the glorious and gracious gift of the high priesthood of Jesus! Because Jesus is our high priest, we can hold on to hope no matter our circumstances. The author states here that Jesus, because he took on human form and lived among us, experiencing life and temptation just as we do but without once sinning, we can both trust that his sacrifice on the cross is sufficient to cover all our sin and draw near to God’s throne with confidence because we know that He understands our weakness!
Because Jesus came and dwelt among us, He is uniquely equipped to serve as our high priest: He is able to sympathize with us and show us abundant mercy as well as know exactly what we need in order to give us grace to help in the moment of need! Let’s believe that truth and draw near to Him in confidence every step of the way!
Hebrews 4
4 Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us fear lest any of you should seem to have failed to reach it. 2 For good news came to us just as to them, but the message they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united by faith with those who listened. 3 For we who have believed enter that rest, as he has said,
“As I swore in my wrath,
‘They shall not enter my rest,’”
although his works were finished from the foundation of the world. 4 For he has somewhere spoken of the seventh day in this way: “And God rested on the seventh day from all his works.” 5 And again in this passage he said,
“They shall not enter my rest.”
6 Since therefore it remains for some to enter it, and those who formerly received the good news failed to enter because of disobedience, 7 again he appoints a certain day, “Today,” saying through David so long afterward, in the words already quoted,
“Today, if you hear his voice,
do not harden your hearts.”
8 For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken of another day later on. 9 So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, 10 for whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from his works as God did from his.
11 Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience. 12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
Jesus the Great High Priest
14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Family Discussion Question:
- How does the high priesthood of Jesus urge us to live our lives? If we can draw near to His throne with confidence because of what He has done, and if we can expect to receive both mercy to cover our failure and grace to help us live in a way that glorifies Him when we need it, what could possibly hinder us from living with boldly for His glory?
So thankful for God’s invitation to us:
Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Amen
AMEN and HALLELUJAh!! I want more and more of Gods grace every day. I want to be closer to my Lord as a child of God. Praise Jesus!!! In this I pray in Jesus name Amen
Amen
Father, you are all seeing and all knowing, even into the depth of my heart. Grant me this day spiritual eyes and discernment to see those around me that need your touch, that need your encouragement, that need your healing, that need your forgiveness. Father, touch those around me through me this day. Praying in the name of Jesus, who is my advocate day and night. Amen
God, thank you for your unending grace and mercy to me every day as I call upon your name. Thank you for your shedding of blood to cleanse me and bringing me into the family of God. I love you, Lord and the way you surround me every day with your peace.
Dear Heavenly Father,
We have all been created for a purpose. Since before we were born, You knew us. You have determined our roles in life and have given us this one chance to fulfill it. Please help me to live the life You have chosen for me so that one day when You call me home, I will hear You say, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.” In the most precious and holy name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.
Thank you Jesus for obeying the father, facing and overcoming temptation and now in mercy, providing eternal rest, as well as rest today, knowing that you have over come sin and death. I pray your holy spirit helps me live a life that reflects your faithfulness.
Jesus, is the center of my joy.
All that’s good and perfect comes from Him. He is the heart of my contentment, hope for all I do. Thanking Him everyday!