Hebrews 4

9-10 There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God. We, through faith, are the people of God. Here God’s rest is called a Sabbath-rest, because after creating the world in six days God rested on the seventh—or Sabbath⁶—day. Just as God rested after creating the world, so we too shall be able to rest after our work on earth is finished.⁷ We will have a share in God’s rest. Indeed, we can understand that “God’s rest” is the kingdom of heaven itself. Our true rest is waiting for us in heaven.

11 The writer here repeats the thought of Hebrews 3:12.

12 The writer has already reminded us that we need to hear God’s word (verse 7). But it is not enough to hear God’s word; we must obey it (see Matthew 7:24-27). For the word of God is living and active. Through the prophet Isaiah, God said concerning His word: “It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it” (Isaiah 55:11). God’s word is like a double-edged sword. To the believer it brings salvation (Romans 1:16). To the unbeliever it brings judgment (John 3:18). God’s word is also sharp. Like a sword, it penetrates to a man’s inner mind and con-science.⁸ It judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. God’s word is Christ’s word. But more than that, God’s word is Christ Himself (John 1:14). That word which brings judgment and salvation and which judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart—that word is Christ Himself (see 1 Corinthians 4:5).

13 Jesus sees into our hearts. Nothing is hid from Jesus and God. We can hide our thoughts and desires from our neighbor, or from our spouse. We can even hide our inner thoughts and desires from ourselves; that is, we can deceive ourselves. But we cannot hide anything from God, nor can we deceive Him. Every man will one day have to give a complete account of himself to God; on that day, everything will be uncovered and laid bare.

Today the word of Jesus speaks to us: “Come, follow me” (Mark 1:17). What answer will we give?

14 Jesus is our great high priest. In Hebrews 2:17, the writer has called Jesus a merciful and faithful high priest. Jesus has already gone through the heavens—that is, He has ascended to heaven. And now He is seated at the right hand of God. He has gone before us to prepare a place for us (John 14:2). In order that we might not lose that place, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.

15 Jesus knows that we are weak. He knows how great our temptations are, because He Himself has been tempted in every way, just as we are. Therefore, He is able to sympathize with us and to help us (Hebrews 2:18). We can talk to Him as a friend. He completely understands our situation.

Jesus has been tempted … just as we are. Jesus was made like his brothers in every way (Hebrews 2:17). However, He never sinned. And it was because He never sinned that He became a perfect high priest, through whom we can obtain salvation (Hebrews 5:8-9).

16 Because we have such a merciful and perfect high priest, we can now approach the throne of GRACE. That is, we can come directly into the presence of God Himself. And we can come with confidence. We can come with confidence, because weknowthat we shall obtain mercy and grace. Even now, Christ is at God’s right hand interceding on our behalf (Romans 8:34; Hebrews 7:2526). Therefore, when trials and temptations come upon us, let us not run and hide from God; rather, let us go at once to Jesus, and He will help us in our time of need.