We have much instruction in this
chapter that Paul wrote to the Hebrew people. And again, it's
much instruction for us this evening. And perhaps the principal
verse which I would like to speak about this evening, but not the
only one, is verse nine, where we read, there remaineth therefore
a rest to the people of God. And surely that must have reference
to the situation that all of God's people enter into when
they have finished their life on this earth. And it will be
a time of wonderful rest to the people of God and to think that
it exists now and it will exist eternally. It is indeed a very
wonderful thought. But just moving on to the end
of this chapter where the Apostle speaks about the blessing that
we have through the Lord Jesus Christ. And this is what he says
in the 14th verse, seeing then that we have a great high priest
that is passed into the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us
hold fast our profession. Well, we know that Jesus rose
from the dead, a conqueror over sin, death, hell and the grave. And we know when he went up Mount
Olivet with the disciples, that he was taken from them and went
into heaven. And we believe today he is barely
in heaven, seated on his father's right hand in that wonderful
office of being our glorious High Priest today. And so the
next verse 15 tells us, for we have not an High Priest which
cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but was in
all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. And there we have a description
then of our Lord Jesus Christ. our Saviour, seated in glory
as that one great High Priest. Of course it must make us remember
that in the Old Testament times, before the Lord came on this
earth, there was that High Priest, only one High Priest, and that
High Priest followed on from the previous High Priest through
the generations and it was he that went into the tabernacle
and in the temple on that great day of atonement on that annual
occasion to present the people before God and to seek for their
atonement for all their sins and on that occasion he must
not go in without blood And so as we think of that, we remember
the Lord Jesus Christ. He died and he shed his most
precious blood in order that we might be blessed with the
gift of eternal life. And so he then comes on, the
apostle, and says in the last verse, let us therefore come
boldly unto the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and
find grace to help in time of need. And that means, therefore,
that we can approach to our God, our God the Father, through his
Son and our Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ. And we are encouraged,
therefore, to come boldly to this throne of grace, that we
may obtain help, mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. is surely a wonderful encouragement
for us. And this chapter began really
with these encouraging words, let us therefore fear lest a
promise being left us of entering into his rest, that rest which
the Lord has provided for all his people. Any of you should
seem to come short of it. And then he says, for unto us
was the gospel preached as well as unto them. And of course,
we have heard and had the gospel preached unto us, but we're told,
but the word preached did not profit them. not be amixed with
faith in them that heard it. So if we are to come boldly to
that throne of grace, we are to come in this way, with faith,
believing that the way of access is through our Saviour. And so
we read for, we which have believed do enter into rest, there will
be that rest, that eternal rest, to all those who believe. But there will not be a rest
to those who do not believe. See, that's a very striking and
solemn consideration. But it is so very true. And as Paul says, speaking, of
course, of the words from the Lord, as I have sworn in my wrath,
if they shall enter into my rest, although the works were finished
from the foundation of the earth. Seeing therefore it remaineth
that some must enter in, and they to whom it was first preached
entered not in. because of unbelief. It's a real word of warning,
isn't it, that you and I might be found amongst those who do
believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and therefore do believe that
there is a rest that remaineth for the people of God. What a
blessing it is, therefore, if you and I understand the great
truth of it and by faith believe that through the mercy and love
and grace of our Saviour there is this good hope that one day
we shall be found with Christ in glory to praise his name forever
and ever. Well then let us remember these
words, there remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God and
how vital it is that all of us are amongst those who are the
people of God, those who do believe the truth of God's word, believe
in his sin-atoning sacrifice, and believe that he now sits
on the Father's throne there to intercede for us. Well, may
God