Hebrews 4

“Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess” (14). Hebrews says that the Israelites were given the “good news” opportunity to enter God’s “rest”: living by faith in the Promised Land (2,6). However, because they refused to believe God, many died in the wilderness. Similarly, salvation through Christ is a freely given gift of God – our “Sabbath rest” (9), and we claim it by believing Jesus is fully sufficient to save us (2-3,11).

Jesus came to give us “rest”: life with God, under God’s care. He empathizes with our weaknesses and, being the Son, brings us to God’s throne (15-16).