[:en]A SABBATH REST FOR THE PEOPLE OF GOD (vs. 1-13)
God created the universe for 6 days and He rested on the 7th day. That day is the Sabbath rest which is a foretaste of our eternal joy when creation will be renewed and restored. Sin will be removed and the world will be made perfect again. We can rest in Christ if we trust him to complete His good and perfect work in us.
God wanted the Isrraelites to enter Canaan to enjoy rest. Now God also offers us to come to Him and enter His rest. As we believe in Christ and obey Him, we can find Rest – peace with God. We can enjoy God’s rest and peace daily and continue on until we have the eternal rest.
“The word of God is living and active, sharper than any double-edged sword. It penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart” (v. 12).
Nothing can be hidden from God. He is ever-present so that we must give account to Him of what we say and do.
JESUS THE GREAT HIGH PRIEST (vs. 14-16)
The high priest was the highest religious authority of the Jews. He only could enter the Holy of Holies in the temple once a year to make atonement for the sins of the whole nation. (Lev. 16)
But Christ is superior than the high priest because He is both God and man. He is the mediator who intercedes for us before God and assures us of God’s forgiveness. He is always at the right hand of God ever-ready and available to hear us when we pray.
Because Jesus is like us as human being, he faced temptations but without giving in to sin. He can comfort and sympathize with us. That is why we can approach the throne of grace with confidence to receive mercy and find grace to help us in times of need (v. 16).[:]