The Rest That Still Stands
The rest promised long ago is still open, which is the point, since the offer did not expire with Joshua. Two famous images follow: our Father's word cutting between soul and spirit, exposing everything, and a high priest tested as we are, so we can approach boldly.
4 1Since the promise to enter his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you seems to have missed it. 2We too had good news preached to us, as they did. But the message heard didn't benefit them, since they didn't combine it with faith, as those who listened did.
3We who believed enter that rest, as he said: "In my wrath I swore, they will never enter my rest." Yet his works were finished since the foundation of the world.
4For somewhere he says of the seventh day: "And our Father rested on the seventh day from all his works."
5And again in the same passage he says, "They will never enter my rest."
6Since it remains that some enter it, and those first given the good news failed to enter through their disobedience,
7so again he sets a day, "Today," speaking through David much later, as already said: "Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts."
8For if Joshua had given them rest, our Father would not have spoken later about another day. 9So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of our Father. 10Whoever has entered our Father's rest has also rested from his works, as our Father did from his own. 11So let's strive to enter that rest, so no one falls by the same pattern of disobedience.
12For the word of our Father is alive and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to divide soul and spirit, joints and marrow, discerning the heart's thoughts and intentions. a a v12 'Word of our Father' replaces 'word of God' — Scripture is the living voice of the Father who knows every thought of his children. 13No creature is hidden from his sight; all lies naked and exposed to the eyes of the one we must answer to.
14So since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens—Jesus, Son of our Father—let's hold firmly to the faith we profess.
Jesus, Our Great High Priest
15We have no high priest unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one tested in every way as we are, yet without sin. 16Let us then approach the throne of grace boldly, so we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need.
