Jesus, the word of God made flesh! Do not fear. In Him we can come boldly to the throne of grace knowing that He intercedes for us. Through Him the world can be saved.
Hebrews 4:12-16 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. 14 Seeing then that 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 cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Our Compassionate High Priest
In Jesus Christ we have access to our Father and the power of Holy Spirit to accomplish all that in ourselves we cannot. All honor and glory to our triune Godhead, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Carla
The gospel was preached is the translation of a single Greek word meaning “the good news was announced.” The good news of God’s rest (verse 1) had been proclaimed to the Israelites. The generation led by Moses had failed to enter their rest, which was the Promised Land (Deuteronomy 12:9), because of their lack of faith. In the same way, the gospel of Christ that had been proclaimed to the author’s audience was calling them into God’s rest, but their unbelief would hinder them from entering into it.
God rested: The theme of rest has its beginning in God’s own rest after creation. The fact that Genesis makes no mention of the evening of the seventh day of creation provides a basis for some Jewish commentators to conclude that the rest of God lasts throughout all of history.
By merely entering the Promised Land, the Israelites had not entered God’s rest, for David (years after Joshua had led the Israelites into the land) had warned his generation to not harden their hearts, so that they could enter God’s rest (3:7–11). Like David, the author of Hebrews called the present generation to respond to God today (3:13), which is the day of repentance.The Greek word for rest in this verse is different from the word used in verses 1, 3, 5, 10, 11; 3:11, 18. This word means “Sabbath rest” and is found only here in the New Testament. Jews commonly taught that the Sabbath foreshadowed the world to come, and they spoke of “a day which shall be all Sabbath.”
Rest … from his works may refer to the rest believers will enter in when they finish their work for God’s kingdom on this earth (Revelation 14:13).
Us, 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 (2 Corinthians 5:10). 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 (verses 7; 3:8, 10, 12, 15; 8:10; 10:16, 22; 13:9).
Naked and open suggests complete exposure and defenselessness before God. All believers must give account to the all-seeing, all-knowing God (Romans 14:10–12; 2 Corinthians 5:10).
Then refers back to the subject of the High Priesthood of Christ (2:17–3:6). We have indicates possession. In the Old Testament 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 (1:3).
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 (2:18).
Come is the same Greek word translated draw near in 10:22. This command strongly contrasts with God’s command at Mt. Sinai: “Do not go up to the mountain or touch its base (Exodus 19:12). 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” (Revelation 22:17). Boldly is the same word that is rendered confidence in 3:6 (10:19) 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.
Rabbi Albert Lewis tells the story of a man seeking employment on a farm; he hands a letter of recommendation to his new employer that reads simply, “He sleeps in a storm.” The farmer is uncertain what to make of the note, but desperate for help, he hires the fellow. Several weeks pass, and suddenly, in the middle of the night, a powerful storm rips through the valley. Awakened by swirling rain and howling wind, the farmer leaps out of bed. He calls for his new hired hand, but the man is sleeping soundly. And so, the farmer dashes off to the barn, where he sees to his amazement that all of the animals are secure with plenty of feed. He then runs to the field, only to discover that the bales of wheat have been bound and wrapped in tarps. And when he runs to the silo, he finds latched doors and dry grain. Only then does he understand the note, “He sleeps in a storm.”
The rabbi concludes, “If we tend to the things that are important in life, if we are right with those we love and behave in line with our faith, our lives will not be cursed with the aching throb of unfulfilled business. Our words will always be sincere, our embraces will be tight. We will never wallow in the agony of ‘I could have, I should have.’ We can sleep in a storm.” “Sabbath Moments”
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