Better by Far - 4
The Excellency of Christ in the Book of Hebrews
As we've studied this letter together we've noticed in chapters one and two that Jesus Christ is superior to the angels. The angels surround the throne. Christ is seated on it! In chapter three we saw that Christ is greater than Moses. Moses was given a revelation from God. Christ is the embodiment of God's creation. We now turn to chapter four of the book of Hebrews. We're presented by the writer with the theme of 'rest;. We read in Verse 1, "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". We're challenged in this chapter to enter into that rest. We read in Verse 11, "Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest". God promises a rest for His people. The Jews boasted of two rests., Some Hebrew Christians were tempted to return to their old Jewish faith because of the glory of the rests God had given them in Judaism. They had the seventh day rest.
God said in Exodus Chapter 20 Verse 8, "remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy". God rested from His labour on the seventh day so must His people. They boasted of the rest of the land of promise. Hebrews chapter four refers back to this by referring to Joshua. We read in Verse 8, "For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day". In the book of Exodus in the Old Testament we read of the wilderness wanderings of Israel. Then they actually crossed over the river Jordan and entered the promised land. Moses remained on the other side of the Jordan but Joshua led God's people into their inheritance in Canaan. The generation that entered Canaan was another generation of Israelites. They were the successors of those to whom the original promise was given. The first generation didn't enter in because of unbelief. Yet Canaan wasn't perfect rest. The writer to the Hebrews tells us there is a greater and better rest than could ever to found in Judaism. God has another rest for believers. It's more perfect rest; a far superior rest that excels the glory of the Sabbath rest and the rest of Canaan. How do we know God has provided a better rest? In Verse 7 Paul quotes from Psalm 95 Verses 7 - 8. The Psalmist speaks of another rest 450 years after Israel entered Canaan. Paul says in Verse 7, "Therefore, God again set a certain day, calling it Today, when a long time later He spoke through David".
The Sabbath rest and the rest of the promised land are not the ultimate rest promised by God. What is this superior rest that is more excellent than both the Sabbath rest and the rest of Canaan? It's the rest found in the Gospel. It's defined for us by Paul. We read in 1 Corinthians Chapter 15 Verses 3-4, "For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died according to the scriptures". God's promised rest is the rest that may be found through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. This rest is superior to the rests of Judaism because it reaches the depths of the soul. It meets the deepest needs of the heart of mankind. It's an eternal rest. It's perfect in every way. Christ is seen to be superior to Joshua another hero of the Old Testament. Joshua led the people of God into the rest of Canaan. Jesus Christ leads believers into the rest of peace with God. Listen to the wonderful words of Jesus in Matthew Chapter 11 Verses 28, "Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest". Jesus Christ gives rest to the heart burdened by sin. He gives peace to the conscience weary with that heavy burden of the sense of guilt before God. Sin causes unrest in your heart and conscience. Only Jesus Christ can bring calm and peace to your soul. How foolish then for the Jews to want to return to the inferior rests of the old Jewish faith. This salvation and peace is available today for all who are sorry for their sin and ask God for forgiveness. How foolish for you to look anywhere else, or to anyone else, but Jesus Christ the Saviour of sinners.
How do we enter this Gospel rest? The Sabbath rest of God shows us. We read in Verse 10, "for anyone who enters God's rest also rests from his own works just as God did from His". There in no place for self-effort and works to enter into the rest of salvation. Paul said in Ephesians Chapter 2 Verses 8 - 9, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith and not from yourselves, it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast". The way of salvation from sin is the rest of faith in the work of Christ. He died in your place,. He bore your punishment. Christ has done all that needs to be done, and that can be done, to save your from your sin. You must believe the good news of the Gospel. Do not make the same mistake as Israel. We read in Verse 2, "For we also have had the Gospel preached to us , just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because those who heard it did not combine it with faith". We read in Acts Chapter 16 Verse 31, "Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved".
Whereas the rest of God in creation typifies the rest of salvation found in the finished work of Christ, the rest of Canaan typifies the believers inheritance in Christ. This is the rest of submission. This is entering into all that God has for you in Christ on a day to day basis. How can you fully enjoy the benefits and blessing of being a Christian? Verse 1 says, "let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it". Treat you salvation in Christ as you would treat your most precious possession. Handle with care! Don't be negligent. Be obedient. Disobedience will forfeit you God's blessing. We read in Verse 6, "those who formerly had the Gospel preached to them did not go in, because of their disobedience". Be diligent. We're told in Verse 11, "let us therefore, make every effort". Live your Christian life with determination to please the Lord. Be receptive to God's word as it searches your heart and exposes those things which displease Him. We read in Verse 12, "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 intents of the heart". Above all keep your eyes focused in Jesus. He knows the way is difficult. He will help you in the battle. We read in Verse 15, "For we do not have a high priest who us unable to sympathise with our weaknesses". Jesus Christ will strengthen us and help us to avail ourselves of all that God has for us as we enter in. As Verse 16 says, "Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and grace to help in time of need". I trust that you have entered into the life of faith and trust. This is God's rest for believers.