It’s evident, as we read through the Book of Hebrews, that the author’s reason for writing is because he feared his Christian readers were wavering in their faith in Christ. Perhaps their faith was growing cold, or perhaps the cares of this world, or the traditions they once followed were pulling their attention away from their newly found faith they professed. (Do you know anyone like that today?)
His goal was to demonstrate that Jesus was far better than the faith they once lived out before, and in light of what has all come about because of all Jesus had done, the author gives his readers three specific exhortations in this chapter, each begin with “let us…”.
Let us...enter His rest...
_Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it. Hebrews 4:1
_Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience. Hebrews 4:11
Did you notice that both these verses explains that we can actually fail to enter into the benefits that God has provided for us? This is exactly what happened to many of the Israelites. Even though God brought them out with a strong hand, they were not confident in God’s love for them, nor His provision, and because of their disobedience and unbelief, the children of Israel did not enter into the rest that God had promised them. Therefore today, like them, we’re called to be diligent to enter into God’s rest.
We also need to remember that the author is writing to Christians, therefore there is another rest for all believers that some may never receive. When we first trusted Christ as Savior we received our “salvation rest”, but as children of God we are called into an “abiding rest", – a “submissive rest”. We’re not to drift through our Christian walk in a carnal way, but rather we are to trust God and enter into His rest, by resisting temptation, trusting His truth, obeying His word, and submitting to the Holy Spirit. In other words the rest the author mentions here is a rest from our own efforts or works, and surrendering and becoming totally dependent upon our Lord Jesus Christ. We’re being called to remain in Him, to abide in Him, to rest in Him, to submit to Him – to depend utterly and entirely upon Him. Then,
Let us...hold fast...
For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. Hebrews 4:12-14
Holding fast to our faith is crucial because the sin that hardens most is unbelief. Israel hardened their hearts “in the rebellion . . . in the wilderness” (Hebrews 3:8). This happened during Israel’s time of testing, when trials had come upon them. During those times, God’s promises seemed to fail them. And when it seemed the Lord was no longer answering their cries, they grumbled, complained and began to follow their own way .
The same can happen to Christians in this generation,and those who were once zealous for the things of God can hardened their hearts towards God. People who once walked faithfully with the Lord, believed His Word, based their lives on biblical truth, and were totally on fire for Jesus, were faced with a crisis, and when they cried out to God in their time of need, no answer came on their time schedule,or in the manner they thought it should. Can you relate?
Others may have been led away by their relationship with ungodly friends. But God’s grace is still available to them, His mercy is still available, but over time their sin has hardened them.
Therefore the author exhorts us to hold fast to our faith no matter what! Trust God and His word when tough times and trials come and “if you will hear His voice, do not harden not your hearts” (Hebrews 4:7). But rather,
Let us...come boldly to the throne of grace...
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.-Hebrews 4:15-16
The author next pleads with us to draw near to God through the complete and finished work of Jesus. He knows that the proof that we have confidence in God and have entered into His rest is demonstrated in how we respond to Him. When we don’t fully trust Him, we're distant. When we do trust Him, we’ll draw nearer. I believe the author has already anticipated that there will be those that, due to their own shame and guilt, will refuse to trust YHWH and draw near to Him even though every obstacle has been removed, and every provision made for every need. Therefore, regardless of how we’re feeling, we’re commanded to draw near, for Jesus has made a way to Almighty God.
When I think of these passages I always remember a story someone told me long ago about this little girl who wanted more than anything else to ride a new ride that had just opened at Disneyland, but by the time she had reached the ride a huge line had already formed, and she feared she’d never get in. Suddenly, just as she turned to walk away, a man came up and took her by the hand and began walking her to the ride's entrance, and just as they were about to cross the threshold to the ride, another man in line called out, “Hey, who do you think you are, Walt Disney!?”
To which the man turned around and replied, “As a matter of fact I am!” and the two continued through the door.
This is what Jesus does for us! He is able to take our hand and bring us right into God’s presence into the Holy of Holies. I pray you’ll remember this the next time you feel unworthy or inadequate to come before Him! Jesus has already paved the way; take His hand and let Him lead you through the entrance.
