March 09, 2023 | Be On Mission
Jesus Offers Us Sabbath Rest & His Word
Scripture: Hebrews 4:1-13 (NIV)
1 Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it. 2 For we also have had the good news proclaimed to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because they did not share the faith of those who obeyed. 3 Now we who have believed enter that rest, just as God has said,
“So I declared on oath in my anger,
‘They shall never enter my rest.’”
And yet his works have been finished since the creation of the world. 4 For somewhere he has spoken about the seventh day in these words: “On the seventh day God rested from all his works.” 5 And again in the passage above he says, “They shall never enter my rest.”
6 Therefore since it still remains for some to enter that rest, and since those who formerly had the good news proclaimed to them did not go in because of their disobedience, 7 God again set a certain day, calling it “Today.” This he did when a long time later he spoke through David, as in the passage 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 later about another day. 9 There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; 10 for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his. 11 Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience.
12 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. 13 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.
Devotional
In the Old Testament, God was continually offering His people rest. He gave them the seventh day as one on which they should physically rest. He released them from Egyptian oppression and bondage for a future of freedom and rest. He offered to take them into the Promised Land right away to be in a place of rest. But they refused to honor the Sabbath day, wanted to go back to Egypt, and did not enter the Promised Land out of fear. Sabbath rest can be harder to accept than it sounds.
In our salvation given by Jesus, we have the ultimate offer of Sabbath rest. Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 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. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30). In the New Testament, Sabbath rest is more a way of life than a day off.
Just hours before His arrest, Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives” (John 14:27). True Sabbath rest for the believer looks like peace, trust, relationship, faith, honor… things like that. Our salvation in Jesus should shape our character, making us more and more like Him.
How do we attain this? Some insights are given in this chapter itself. “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” (v. 12-13).
How do these verses speak to entering God’s Sabbath rest?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, we are in awe of all You created in 6 days: heavens and earth, light, water, land, living creatures, mankind. On the 7th day, You rested. You commanded us to rest on the 7th day. In Hebrews 4:11 we are told to “make every effort” to rest on the Sabbath so we will not perish. Let this time of rest help us to remember to love You. Let this time of rest renew us. Let this time of rest help us to be more holy. Help me to rest on the Sabbath and be obedient to Your commands.
Poem
Rest
Hebrews 4:11
Have you ever been so tired
Great exhaustion, weary, weak
Muscles spasm without ceasing
Bones are aching, pain is deep
Mouth is parched, clothes drenched from sweating
You collapse, can barely stand
In your shoes each toe is cramping
Fingers drop what’s in your hand?
How you long for downy pillow
How you long for all to stop
How you long for just some shut-eye
Is there not a place to flop?
Yet, when fin’lly horizontal
No rest greets you in your bed
For the worries, tribulations
From the day swim in your head
As you think about the morrow
And how quick the night will flee
As you hear each hour striking
And yet wide awake you be
Do you pray, “Lord, let me enter
Into Your great promised rest.
Free me from all these distractions;
Free me from worry’s distress.”
Then’s the time to deep examine
All the day that’s marched before
Let your mind review each moment
Let your knees be on the floor
Lift to God each sin committed
Shed each unforgiveness borne
Count the blessings, let the grace of God
Escort you to new morn
As the day breaks, sun comes rising
This day more attentive be
Pray ‘today’ to live in Sabbath
Live in rest, attentive, free
