To help the Christian community grasp the reality of God’s world to come the author uses something the Jewish community understood very well; Sabbath Rest. The author describes three different rests. First, there is the rest God took on the seventh day of creation, and which becomes a model for God’s people. Secondly, he refers to the rest for God’s people when after wandering in the wilderness for forty years they entered into the Promised Land. The third rest is the rest for God’s people when they arrive in God’s world to come. All these rests are a gift of God’s grace. However, they are not guaranteed regardless of how God’s people respond to his commands. The author makes clear that many of the Israelites perished in the wilderness because of their unbelief and thus never entered into God’s rest.
But, God provides help for his people to remain faithful. God has given his Word, the whole story of God’s action in Jesus, which the author says is sharper than a two edged sword. Here though, the sword is not an offensive weapon but a surgeon’s scalpel that brings cleansing and healing. And, God has provided his people with a Great High Priest, Jesus his Son. “This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.” (Hebrews 4:15-16)
That, my friends, is very Good News.
What word or phrase in these verses
attracts your attention?
Reflect on that word or phrase.
What insights come to you?
How does this passage touch your life today?
20-Feb-12 Heb. 5:11-6:20
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