Hebrews
Chapter 4
Rest
Therefore, let us be on our guard while we are invited to enter God’s rest, lest any of you be left behind.
We received the gospel exactly as they did, but hearing the message did them no good because they did not share the faith of those who listened.
We are now to enter this rest because we believed, as it was said: I was angry and made a solemn vow: they will never enter my rest, though his works were finished after he created the world.
In another part, it was said about the seventh day: And God rested on the seventh day from all his works.
And again, in the previously mentioned place, They will not enter my rest.
We must conclude that some will enter the rest of God and that those who first received the good did not because of their disobedience.
Yet God, again, assigns a day when he says: ‘today,’ and declares through David, many years later: If you hear God’s voice today, do not harden your hearts.
For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have assigned another day later on.
Then, a sabbath rest still remains for the people of God.
For those who enter this rest of God, rest from all their works, as God rests from his work.
Let us strive then to enter the rest, and not to share the misfortune of those who disobeyed.
For the word of God is living and effective, sharper than any two-edged sword. It pierces to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and judges the intentions and thoughts of the heart.
All creation is transparent to him; everything is uncovered and laid bare to the eyes of him to whom we render an account.
Jesus, High Priest
Since, then, we have a great high priest, Jesus, the Son of God, who has ascended into heaven, let us then hold firmly to the faith we profess.
Our high priest is not indifferent to our weaknesses, for he was tempted in every way, just as we are, yet without sinning.
Let us then, with confidence, approach the throne of grace o obtain mercy and, through his favor, help in due time.
Commentaries
Rest.
The warning shouldn’t focus only on the dangers of the journey. Although the journey is tough, it is guided by the goal: the promise of rest. This Good News, already shared with the Jewish people, is now proclaimed to us in this “today of God,” with the same urgent call to accept it and to commit ourselves to it by faith: “if today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts” (7), for only “those of us who have believed will enter into that rest” (3). We are told that this Word of God should not be taken lightly. It is not like human words. It is a living and powerful Word that, like a sword (cf. Is 49:2), cuts, judges, discerns, holds accountable, challenges, and above all, saves those who accept it by faith.
Jesus, High Priest.
If earlier he presented this High Priest, Jesus, as “faithful” (3:1-4), now he offers him one of his most compelling titles: “compassionate.” In Jesus, God’s compassion reaches its highest expression. He is divine compassion made man. He has experienced our human condition because, like us, “he has been tested in every way, except sin” (15). Now that he sits, glorious, in the court of grace, we could not have a more excellent and compassionate mediator. The preacher invites us to come to him with confidence to always find his mercy and help.