Hebrews 4:11-16

We enter into God’s rest by faith.

I will rest  in the grace He provided in Christ Jesus!

Is anything too hard for God? Does he ever throw up his hands and quit? The welcome answer is No, nothing is too hard for the Lord. Don’t measure the height of the mountain. Ponder the power of the One who made it. Don’t tell God how big your storm is. Tell the storm how big your God is. Your problem is not that your problem is so big, but that your view of God is too small. Accept the invitation of the psalmist: “O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together” (Psalm 34:3 NKJV).

Our tendency is to magnify our fears. We place a magnifying glass on the diagnosis, the disease, or the debt. Stop that! Meditate less on the mess and more on the Master. Less on the problems and more on his power. Max Lucado

Hebrews 4:11-16

11 Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience. 12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. The New King James Version

This exhortation is directed at believers whose lives should be characterized by perseverance. Those who enter God’s rest will participate in the great Sabbath celebration at God’s throne, upon Jesus’ return. 

A weapon of warfare. The word of God can penetrate the immaterial and the material—meaning the whole person. The idea here is that all things are open to examination by God. Exposure to the word of God means exposure to God Himself. 

A person is judged for everything that they have done and God knows whether they are telling the truth, but believers need not fear judgment for their past sins. Sounding a theme that continues throughout the rest of Hebrews, this passage portrays Jesus as the great high priest who identifies with sinful humanity yet remains without sin. 

Because Jesus already has ascended into heaven and entered into God’s rest, believers can be confident that they, too, will have a share in God’s rest. Because Jesus established His role as high priest by becoming like us, He can understand human struggles. Jesus faced the same temptations as people. Suffering believers can look to Jesus, who not only pioneered their faith but endured the cross—the cost of obedience to God. Jesus remained faithful to the one who appointed Him. Unlike other priests, Jesus didn’t need to offer sacrifices for His own sins; instead, He offered Himself unblemished to God.

Believers should pray persistently because Jesus empathizes with human weakness. He continues to make intercession for those who draw near to God. In the Jerusalem temple, only the high priest could enter the most holy place—and only once per year on the Day of Atonement. By offering Himself once for all, Jesus made a way for believers to draw near to God. The place of God’s presence, from which grace emanates to His people. God’s throne sits in the heavenly temple—the counterpart of the earthly temple.

Christ is the merciful high priest who mediates on our behalf. Because of His work, God grants mercy to believers when they sin. God strengthens His people when they undergo temptation or endure any type of hardship. Faithlife Study Bible

Including himself as well as his readers, the author exhorts believers to be diligent, a phrase meaning “make every effort” to enter that rest. The rest is not automatic. Determined diligence is required. The danger is that believers today, like the Israelites of the past, will not stand, but fall in disobedience. 

The word of God is the measuring stick Christ will use at the judgment. God’s message is alive and active, penetrating the innermost parts of a person. It distinguishes what is natural and what is spiritual, as well as the thoughts (reflections) and intents (insights) of a person. The word of God exposes the natural and spiritual motivations of a believer’s heart. 

Naked and open suggests complete exposure and defenselessness before God. All believers must give account to the all-seeing, all-knowing God. In the OT the high priest of Israel passed through the courts and veils into the Most Holy Place. Our High Priest has passed through the heavens to the very presence of God, where He sits at God’s right hand. Sympathize means “to suffer with” and expresses the feeling of one who has entered into suffering. In all points tempted means Jesus experienced every degree of temptation. 

Come is the same Greek word translated as draw near. This command strongly contrasts with God’s command at Mt. Sinai: “Do not go up to the mountain or touch its base. Because of Christ’s priestly work, believers can approach God’s presence. The writer of Hebrews is expressing the openness of God’s call in Christ, “Come”. Boldly is the same word that is rendered confidence and means “plainness of speech,” “fearlessness,” or “courage.” 

Believers should courageously approach God in prayer because His is a throne of grace, and our High Priest sits at His right hand interceding for us. The NKJV Study Bible

2 Chronicles 16:9 For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. In this you have done foolishly; therefore from now on you shall have wars.”

Psalm 33:14 

From the place of His dwelling He looks

On all the inhabitants of the earth;

Psalm 33:15 

He fashions their hearts individually;

He considers all their works.