9 ” There remains therefore a rest for the people of God.
10 For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His. “
– Hebrews 4:9-10
In Christ, we can echo the words He cried on the cross — “it is finished.” (John 19:30)
That phrase tells me that HE DID IT, so I don’t have to: He bought salvation for me. I could never earn it and now I can rest in His completed work.
I. Can. Rest.
We. Can. Rest.
Every world religion preaches: “Do!” “Earn!” “Work!” “Not enough!”
While God says: “Done.” “Finished.” “Paid.” “Forgiven.”
While I was destined to be lost in my sin, separated from Him forever, He paid the debt I owed, made a way, and rescued me when I was helpless to save myself.
I stood condemned and guilty, but Jesus took my place and died the death I deserved. There’s no better news than the gospel. It never gets old.
So, whatever we may suffer on this side of eternity; it pales in comparison with the glory of spending eternity with our Savior.
If God allowed His only beloved Son to suffer, how can we expect to live a life free of sorrow or pain?? While many celebrity “pastors” preach a message of “wealth, prosperity, health, & comfort” — one look at our precious Savior dying on a tree tells me that you can be in the center of God’s perfect will, walking in complete obedience and submission to Him…and suffer greatly. Hebrews 5:8-9 points out how Jesus obeyed His Father by going to the cross:
8 “Even though Jesus was God’s Son, He learned obedience from the things He suffered. 9 In this way, God qualified Him as a perfect High Priest, and He became the source of eternal salvation for all those who obey Him.” (NLT)
Christ’s death tells me that God is still working and writing a story of redemption in the most hopeless and darkest night. He is fully in control of the outcome, even when it’s different than we had imagined and we can trust that it’s always better than what we had in mind.
We have the promise that He will never leave or forsake us in our pain. (Hebrews 13:15)
You may feel lonely but you are never alone.
Rest in the finished work of the cross.
You no longer have to work for acceptance or approval.
Stop striving & comparing. Fighting for what He already died to give you.
“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled & do not be afraid.” – John 14:27
As we start a new week, enter it resting & rejoicing in Jesus: knowing that He rose again & is alive in you.
The work is finished.
And we are simply called to rest and walk in light of that glorious truth.