“There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God's rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from his. Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following their example of disobedience” ( Hebrews 4:9-11 ).
We are called into a Sabbath rest as people of God. Many assume this means resting on Sunday. However it is much more than this. We enter into this rest when we accept Jesus by faith. He is the literal fulfillment of the Sabbath Day. Just as God rested after creation was finished because there was nothing left to create. Jesus rested after He redeemed mankind from the power of darkness ( Hebrews 1:3 ). We enter into this rest when we look to Jesus to save us because it is done and complete. It is finished! Nothing else needs to be done in order to secure our salvation. Jesus is the guarantee of this promise. Since He is resting at the right hand of God because His work is complete, we too can rest securely in Him.
Israel did not enter this rest on the basis of unbelief, Hebrews makes this clear, “so we see that they were not able to enter, because of their unbelief” ( Hebrews 3:18-19 ). God did not shut them out of the Promise Land, unbelief did. The next chapter gives insight, “For we also have had the gospel preached to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because those who heard did not combine it with faith. Now we who have believed enter that rest...” ( Hebrews 4:2-3a ). So it is fair to say the only way to enter in is by faith. Faith placed in what Jesus did to secure your salvation. Jesus is our Sabbath Rest and remaining in Him is what brings rest to the people of God.
Jesus told His disciples, "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 ).
Tomorrow we look at Hebrews 3:12-13; Finding Encouragement in One Another
