CHAPTER 4
Entering Into the Son's Rest
The primary theme that we see in chapter four is entering into the rest of the Son. Yeshua defines His rest by stating it at Matthew 11:28-30 to His Jewish brothers.
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.
What we should understand in this statement by Yeshua is that in His testimony/good news/gospel is that the burden of sin will be lifted and a cessation of the animal sacrifices and judgments laid upon Israel - and Judah – will come to an end. (Later, animal sacrifices will become memorials to remind Israel of the relationship between sin and death.) What this does not mean is a wholesale abolishment of the Law.
The second concept we should see here is that to enter into the Son’s rest we need to be in a relationship with Him. The essence of that relationship is expressed John 14:15.
If ye love me, keep my law/commandments.
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.
What we should understand in this statement by Yeshua is that in His testimony/good news/gospel is that the burden of sin will be lifted and a cessation of the animal sacrifices and judgments laid upon Israel - and Judah – will come to an end. (Later, animal sacrifices will become memorials to remind Israel of the relationship between sin and death.) What this does not mean is a wholesale abolishment of the Law.
The second concept we should see here is that to enter into the Son’s rest we need to be in a relationship with Him. The essence of that relationship is expressed John 14:15.
If ye love me, keep my law/commandments.
Fear
The very first concept we see in chapter four verse one is the most basic aspect of having a relationship with Yeshua. Though it is expressed as fear and indeed there are curses and judgements for not obeying, I think the better word here is respect. Having respect for God’s Son. Respecting God’s Son is foundational for having a relationship with Him. We see that this is one of the attributes of Messiah – Isaiah 11:2.
Faith
In verse two, we see that some of those who heard did not believe. Belief in the Israelite mindset requires action – simple mental exertion is inadequate. We can see this connection of hearing and then doing in the Shema - Israel's central prayer – Deu 6:4-9. Here in the Shema we see that the sequence of faith being –
The very first concept we see in chapter four verse one is the most basic aspect of having a relationship with Yeshua. Though it is expressed as fear and indeed there are curses and judgements for not obeying, I think the better word here is respect. Having respect for God’s Son. Respecting God’s Son is foundational for having a relationship with Him. We see that this is one of the attributes of Messiah – Isaiah 11:2.
Faith
In verse two, we see that some of those who heard did not believe. Belief in the Israelite mindset requires action – simple mental exertion is inadequate. We can see this connection of hearing and then doing in the Shema - Israel's central prayer – Deu 6:4-9. Here in the Shema we see that the sequence of faith being –
Hearing > Thinking/Feeling > Doing
SHEMA The Sequence of Faith |
Hearing > |
Thinking/Feeling > |
Doing |
6:4 |
6:5,6,8 |
6:7,8,9 |
The concept of doing – being obedient – is expressed here in verses 2,3,6,11.
Sabbath Rest
In verses 3 through 13, we see that the concept of rest was first established with the Sabbath rest that started at creation when God rested from His work of creation. Moreover, ancient Israel never enter Yeshua's rest illustrated in the Sabbath because of their disobedience. If they had, they would have received the Messiah’s testimony and enjoyed a fuller relationship with Him and thereby would have entered into His rest.
Yeshua’s Grace
Chapter four closes in verses 14 through 16 admonishing Judah to come to Messiah – the throne of grace – and receive His testimony and His rest. Integral to the Messiah testimony is to be Born Again so that we can overcome our weaknesses v.15 and be obedient to His Law. To be Born Again is that process of transformation to put away our fallen and carnal nature and become a new creature/creation of Holy Spirit and fully able to live His Law.
BORN AGAIN >>> |
Born of the Blood |
Born of the Water |
Born of the Spirit |
Born of God |
Take upon us the name of Yeshua as Humanity’s Redeemer. |
Symbolically, putting the old person away becoming new through baptism. |
Living the Law in the fullness of Messiah. |
Prove one’s loyalty to God by enduring a trial of faith – Baptism of Fire. Being baptized by the Holy Spirit becoming a new creation of the Holy Spirit incapable of committing sin. |
Reaching the Stature of the Fullness of Messiah
To be Born Again is the first process of ascension to be like our Messiah. Later in the Letters to the Hebrews, we'll see a second ascension as we reach perfection and the stature of the fullness of Messiah.
REACHING THE STATURE OF THE FULLNESS OF MESSIAH |