Daily Bread 2010 - Hebrews 4
12For the word of God is living 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. 13Nothing 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.
Jesus the Great High Priest
14Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens,[e] Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. 16Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
The beginning of the chapter the writer talks about entering God’s rest. This is likely a reference to being in heaven with God. Just as God rested on the 7th day, we too one day will rest from our labor if we keep our faith and trust the message we have heard. It is a nice metaphor because as one gets older the weariness from work can have its toll, as well as the aging process itself. As people are in their last days it is nice vision to think that they are entering their Sabbath day rest.
In order to do that the writer gives us two more salient points. First is the Word of God. The Word of God is living and active and it separates truth from error, and judges the thoughts and attitudes of our heart. That is why as we read the bible we should constantly be praying and asking the question as Luther did, so what does this mean? And now what, how then shall I live? God’s word not only leads us to salvation in Christ, but it judges the thoughts and attitudes of our hearts and keeps us from straying from the Promise.
Finally, as we travel the road of faith, we have a high priest, a mediator, Jesus. And since Jesus has lived in a human body he knows what it is like to suffer and struggle. So as we approach God’s throne of grace, we can have confidence that Jesus knows what we are going through. That is why we should not shy away from Jesus during hard times but lean on him all the more and He will make our burdens light.
Jesus thank you for the promise of some day entering Your rest. May your Word be our guide and as we struggle we know we can come to you and you know what we are going through. Thank you that you can identify with us and be our ally as we approach the throne of grace, Amen.
Jesus the Great High Priest
14Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens,[e] Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. 16Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
The beginning of the chapter the writer talks about entering God’s rest. This is likely a reference to being in heaven with God. Just as God rested on the 7th day, we too one day will rest from our labor if we keep our faith and trust the message we have heard. It is a nice metaphor because as one gets older the weariness from work can have its toll, as well as the aging process itself. As people are in their last days it is nice vision to think that they are entering their Sabbath day rest.
In order to do that the writer gives us two more salient points. First is the Word of God. The Word of God is living and active and it separates truth from error, and judges the thoughts and attitudes of our heart. That is why as we read the bible we should constantly be praying and asking the question as Luther did, so what does this mean? And now what, how then shall I live? God’s word not only leads us to salvation in Christ, but it judges the thoughts and attitudes of our hearts and keeps us from straying from the Promise.
Finally, as we travel the road of faith, we have a high priest, a mediator, Jesus. And since Jesus has lived in a human body he knows what it is like to suffer and struggle. So as we approach God’s throne of grace, we can have confidence that Jesus knows what we are going through. That is why we should not shy away from Jesus during hard times but lean on him all the more and He will make our burdens light.
Jesus thank you for the promise of some day entering Your rest. May your Word be our guide and as we struggle we know we can come to you and you know what we are going through. Thank you that you can identify with us and be our ally as we approach the throne of grace, Amen.
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