Hebrews as Muse -- Needing Rest -- Hebrews 4
We live in a technical age. From the advances of technology in the workplace, to the simple daily routine of checking our smart phones, being “techy” to some degree is needed. And it deceives us. Many believe civilization has advanced, or they might say evolved, to a higher level than ever before in history, since we see all this technology that’s been developed. Some think we’re smarter than ever. I don’t think so. Yes, we have built on the technological advances over time, but that’s simply a progression, building knowledge on knowledge. It doesn’t mean we are any smarter. In fact, some of the accomplishments of humans long ago leave us in jaw dropping amazement today, like the pyramids as an example. How did they do that without the machinery of today? Even though they didn’t have our technology, they were just as smart as us. Maybe smarter, doing more with less.
In January 2022 the Supreme Court was hearing arguments about whether the government had the right to impose vaccines on US workers. Justice Sotomayor asked this question, “Why is a human being not like a machine if it’s spewing a virus?” In other words, we engineer machines, why not humans? This way of thinking is becoming more prevalent, our autonomy to make our own decisions being questioned since those at the top of government know what’s best for us (tongue in cheek) and want to treat us like machines to be managed.
We are not machines. And the machines we have at our disposal, as helpful as they can be, also require our attention. They add to the stress of an already stressful world. Because we are not machines, we need rest. Rest from the machines, the endless emails and text messages and other social media, but also from the daily grind of work or school and relationships, etc. God knows this. Unlike machines, humans live with values and emotions, with a need for calm. A need to reassess and relax, to refocus.
Over 50% of people report being exhausted on a regular basis. Many of them also say they struggle to find hope in this high-tech world. We need something besides another technical advancement to help us have hope for the future, hope beyond this short life. Which brings us to Hebrews, chapter 4. In the last chapter we realized that we must spend time in the desert, and that can bring growth and challenge as we rely on God. Hebrews 4 brings us out of the desert and into the Promised Land. But that’s not the term used. Instead, it is called “God’s rest.”
“Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it. For we also have had the good news proclaimed to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because they did not share the faith of those who obeyed” (Hebrews 4:1-2) Many, in the desert wandering time of Israel, did not make it to the Promised Land because they lacked faith in God and did not follow him. So, they died in the desert. They did not get to cross the Jordan River with Joshua into the Promised Land. If we want to cross over death into the Promised Land of heaven with our Joshua (Jesus) we must have faith and follow. It’s more than a flippant “I believe” process. They believed and died in the desert.
But following the Lord requires effort, focus, and we need rest along the way. God built rest into our weekly schedule if we’ll do what he asks. We need eternal rest also, from the sin that plagues this world with all its complications and burdens. “In Christ” for those who follow Jesus, God offers both. “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.” Don’t be fooled, we are not as smart as we think. The Bible offers us truth in Jesus, hope in Jesus, rest in Jesus, but we must yield to God’s way. How do we find that way? “The Word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, judging the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Heb. 4:12).
In Revelation 1:16 we see Jesus pictured, “his eyes like a flame of fire…from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, his face shining like the sun.” Let’s not bet our salvation on technology, not on the wisdom of this world, not on the machinery of mankind. Instead, bet your life on he whose eyes are like a flame of fire, who speaks words that cut two ways, to save and to condemn. We each make the choice. Choose wisely. Rest will come.
Cross Point: "Since we have a great High Priest who has passed through life to heaven, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession." (Hebrews 4:14)
In January 2022 the Supreme Court was hearing arguments about whether the government had the right to impose vaccines on US workers. Justice Sotomayor asked this question, “Why is a human being not like a machine if it’s spewing a virus?” In other words, we engineer machines, why not humans? This way of thinking is becoming more prevalent, our autonomy to make our own decisions being questioned since those at the top of government know what’s best for us (tongue in cheek) and want to treat us like machines to be managed.
We are not machines. And the machines we have at our disposal, as helpful as they can be, also require our attention. They add to the stress of an already stressful world. Because we are not machines, we need rest. Rest from the machines, the endless emails and text messages and other social media, but also from the daily grind of work or school and relationships, etc. God knows this. Unlike machines, humans live with values and emotions, with a need for calm. A need to reassess and relax, to refocus.
Over 50% of people report being exhausted on a regular basis. Many of them also say they struggle to find hope in this high-tech world. We need something besides another technical advancement to help us have hope for the future, hope beyond this short life. Which brings us to Hebrews, chapter 4. In the last chapter we realized that we must spend time in the desert, and that can bring growth and challenge as we rely on God. Hebrews 4 brings us out of the desert and into the Promised Land. But that’s not the term used. Instead, it is called “God’s rest.”
“Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it. For we also have had the good news proclaimed to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because they did not share the faith of those who obeyed” (Hebrews 4:1-2) Many, in the desert wandering time of Israel, did not make it to the Promised Land because they lacked faith in God and did not follow him. So, they died in the desert. They did not get to cross the Jordan River with Joshua into the Promised Land. If we want to cross over death into the Promised Land of heaven with our Joshua (Jesus) we must have faith and follow. It’s more than a flippant “I believe” process. They believed and died in the desert.
But following the Lord requires effort, focus, and we need rest along the way. God built rest into our weekly schedule if we’ll do what he asks. We need eternal rest also, from the sin that plagues this world with all its complications and burdens. “In Christ” for those who follow Jesus, God offers both. “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.” Don’t be fooled, we are not as smart as we think. The Bible offers us truth in Jesus, hope in Jesus, rest in Jesus, but we must yield to God’s way. How do we find that way? “The Word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, judging the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Heb. 4:12).
In Revelation 1:16 we see Jesus pictured, “his eyes like a flame of fire…from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, his face shining like the sun.” Let’s not bet our salvation on technology, not on the wisdom of this world, not on the machinery of mankind. Instead, bet your life on he whose eyes are like a flame of fire, who speaks words that cut two ways, to save and to condemn. We each make the choice. Choose wisely. Rest will come.
Cross Point: "Since we have a great High Priest who has passed through life to heaven, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession." (Hebrews 4:14)
Posted in Cross Points