Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
SABBATH LEADS TO FULLNESS OF CREATION
Bible portion: Hebrews 4:1-11iVerse: 7: This is shown by the fact that God sets another day, which is called “today” …...... If you hear God's voice today, do not be stubborn.”
This bible portion speaks about the rest God offers to his people. Rest means peace with God, enter into worship and service of God. It means the deliverence from burden of mosaic observance. Rest means freedom that God himself enjoys.
God finished creation long before Israel or David, and the works were finished from the foundation of the world. God rested on the seventh day from all His works. This matter is spoken of again. Those who heard the good news first, did not enter that rest because they did not believe. God's work were truly finished including work of our salvation.
Now if we fail to rest in that finished work of Jesus Christ, turn to him and seek Him instead of trying to earn a righteous standing before God on the basis of own works. The writer of the Hebrews is trying to persuade his jewish brothers and sisters in Christ to resist temptations to go back to the old religious pattern of their former judaism, and to stop from their works in flesh and their efforts to earn God's favor through rituals and ceremonies, and to go forward confidently in their faith in Christ – being diligent to enter into the rest that God provides them. The writer has psalm chapter 95 in reference to let us understand the passage better.
Back in the days of Moses Israelites did not the rest that God promised to them , or the story did not end even in the time of Joshua. Israelites did not hear or believe or get profited from the gospel that was preached to them. They failed to mix their hearing with faith – a faith that we too can fall short of – in hearing the promises of God through the full grace in Christ. This made them fall short of entering into God's promised rest. The name Joshua in Greek means Jesus in Hebrew. Just as the entry into the promised land in the old testament required diligence, it is matter of diligence and faith in the person of Jesus and His finished work will let anyone enter into the God's rest. The second Joshua ,”Jesus” has finished what first Joshua left unfinished. Jesus is greater than Moses and Joshua.
God finished creation long before Israel or David, and the works were finished from the foundation of the world. God rested on the seventh day from all His works. This matter is spoken of again. Those who heard the good news first, did not enter that rest because they did not believe. God's work were truly finished including work of our salvation.
Now if we fail to rest in that finished work of Jesus Christ, turn to him and seek Him instead of trying to earn a righteous standing before God on the basis of own works. The writer of the Hebrews is trying to persuade his jewish brothers and sisters in Christ to resist temptations to go back to the old religious pattern of their former judaism, and to stop from their works in flesh and their efforts to earn God's favor through rituals and ceremonies, and to go forward confidently in their faith in Christ – being diligent to enter into the rest that God provides them. The writer has psalm chapter 95 in reference to let us understand the passage better.
Back in the days of Moses Israelites did not the rest that God promised to them , or the story did not end even in the time of Joshua. Israelites did not hear or believe or get profited from the gospel that was preached to them. They failed to mix their hearing with faith – a faith that we too can fall short of – in hearing the promises of God through the full grace in Christ. This made them fall short of entering into God's promised rest. The name Joshua in Greek means Jesus in Hebrew. Just as the entry into the promised land in the old testament required diligence, it is matter of diligence and faith in the person of Jesus and His finished work will let anyone enter into the God's rest. The second Joshua ,”Jesus” has finished what first Joshua left unfinished. Jesus is greater than Moses and Joshua.
Prayer
Lord of the sabbath Jesus, make our hearts receptive to your gospel in faith and diligence ,believing in your finished work, which will only let us enter into God's rest as promised. Lord make each one us attentive to your voice and not be stubborn. Amen.
Christian Education Forum, Diocese of NAE of the Mar Thoma Church
Thought for the day
God created rest for our benefit to restore us. We can experience true rest when we spend time in God's presence, praying and reflecting on his word and believing in the finished work of Lord Jesus.
Dr.John K.Thomas Tabore MTC
Staten Island
Staten Island