Hebrews 4:1-11 "Rest"

Read Hebrews 4:1-11.

"Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following their example of disobedience." NIV

We have 3 "rest" references here. Entering the rest of the Sabbath, entering the rest of the Promised Land, and entering the rest of heaven. How are they all related.

God has provided a reward for our labors whether they are at the end of the week, the end of a journey, or the end of our life. Our job is to do be obedient to get there. All of life involves work - labor for food and shelter, work on relationships, work at evangelism. Everything requires us to consciously put feet and hands to thoughts and ideas. If we don't, we become intellectual, useless slugs and of no purpose for God's plan. But if we remain diligent, we get a reward of a day of rest. Likewise, as symbolized by the Israelites' journey through the desert, we can have a reward at the end of our life's journey as well. The trip is not an easy one. There are dry times and obstacles all along the way. But the Lord provides for our every need if we only trust Him. We may not have columns of smoke during the day or fire at night, but His Spirit lights the path if we simply use our spiritual eyes.

Thank You, Precious Lord, that we have a purpose and a work to do. Give me diligence to run the race with perseverance even when times are difficult. Holy Spirit, guide my path that when I reach the end, I will hear, "Well done, good and faithful servant." And then I can enter my rest.

Further Thoughts:

1. Look up Scripture about running the race.
2. Work is expected, but are we to do everything? In other words, is every opportunity to serve something we are to do? Support your answer with Scripture.
3. Read about the Sabbatical rest.
4. Do you need to rest or work? Remember, balance is a good thing.

Matthew 12:1-14 "A Balancing Act"

Read Matthew 12:1-14.

"For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath." NIV

We have to see this passage in light of Jewish law. Nothing was allowed to be done on the Sabbath -- from sun down the night before to sun down the next night. Even all their food had to be prepared in advance. This was a very strict law for these people. And for the Pharisees, the law had definitely come above people and the mercy they needed.

Jesus here reestablishes that the law is not abolished, but that mercy reigns higher. By doing so He is stating again His authority to be above the law which totally enrages the Pharisees. What Jesus is saying is blasphemy in their eyes. Christ is placing Himself in a position to change hundreds of years of tradition, and they will not tolerate it. By hiding behind the law, they justify their own hypocrisy.

Christ is calling for a clearer form of the law -- one that sees people before the legality. One that places His children as a priority. Maybe we in the 21st century have taken it a bit too far the other way. We could use more respect for the Sabbath -- one that respects rest and refreshing, worship of God, and time for renewal.

Surely we can find a balance. Is Jesus saying abolish the laws of the Sabbath? Absolutely not. The Sabbath was created as a day to rest and renew ourselves. It is the only way we can continue to be able to work the other six days. If God does it as an example, then we should follow His lead, not only because it is commanded, but because He has demonstrated the value of a Sabbath rest.

But when we get caught up in legalism that sacrifices human decency and compassion, we have destroyed all the safeguards that God has established. The law was made to guide us, not to imprison us. And if we sacrifice others for the law, we are not living as Christ lived. We have come to make the law a ritual that has become a religion of its own. Jesus says to follow the law, but not worship it. See people more than the law and meet their needs.

Further Thoughts:

1. Do research on the Sabbath. What is its purpose? How did the Jews' strictness of the law undermine the purpose? How have we today destroyed the
   Sabbath?
2. Some people work on the Sabbath and some play all day. Which one is not keeping the Sabbath holy? Support your answer with Scripture.
3. Do you take a Sabbath rest? If no, why not? Do you believe you should make a change?
4. Do you lean toward legalism or mercy in your life? Which is more valued by God? Does He expect us to throw out the law and just be merciful? If not, how do we find a balance?