Entered into Rest
Entered into Rest
Hebrews 4 (NRSV)
Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest is still open, let us take care that none of you should seem to have failed to reach it. 2For indeed the good news came to us just as to them; but the message they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united by faith with those who listened.* 3For we who have believed enter that rest, just as God* has said,
‘As in my anger I swore,
“They shall not enter my rest” ’,
though his works were finished at the foundation of the world. 4For in one place it speaks about the seventh day as follows: ‘And God rested on the seventh day from all his works.’ 5And again in this place it says, ‘They shall not enter my rest.’ 6Since therefore it remains open for some to enter it, and those who formerly received the good news failed to enter because of disobedience, 7again he sets a certain day—‘today’—saying through David much later, in the words already quoted,
‘Today, if you hear his voice,
do not harden your hearts.’
8For if Joshua had given them rest, God* would not speak later about another day. 9So then, a sabbath rest still remains for the people of God; 10for those who enter God’s rest also cease from their labours as God did from his. 11Let us therefore make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one may fall through such disobedience as theirs.
‘As in my anger I swore,
“They shall not enter my rest” ’,
though his works were finished at the foundation of the world. 4For in one place it speaks about the seventh day as follows: ‘And God rested on the seventh day from all his works.’ 5And again in this place it says, ‘They shall not enter my rest.’ 6Since therefore it remains open for some to enter it, and those who formerly received the good news failed to enter because of disobedience, 7again he sets a certain day—‘today’—saying through David much later, in the words already quoted,
‘Today, if you hear his voice,
do not harden your hearts.’
8For if Joshua had given them rest, God* would not speak later about another day. 9So then, a sabbath rest still remains for the people of God; 10for those who enter God’s rest also cease from their labours as God did from his. 11Let us therefore make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one may fall through such disobedience as theirs.
12 Indeed, the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13And before him no creature is hidden, but all are naked and laid bare to the eyes of the one to whom we must render an account.
14 Since, then, we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession. 15For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
The portion of Hebrews chapter 4 above that is in blue is our second reading for the upcoming Sunday, October 14. When a reading starts in the middle of something, it’s clarifying to go back and see what was omitted and why. Then when the chapter itself begins with “Therefore,” it’s helpful to backtrack into previous chapters and find out what’s going on.
The chapters of Hebrews leading up to our reading for Sunday are about “entering into rest.” It’s a phrase that one of our (then two) funeral homes in Apalachicola always put on the cards that were handed out to folks attending a funeral; “Entered into rest: _____” in the blank the date of death.
My personal preference is simply to say, “died,” but many prefer to soften it with “passed” or “passed away” or as the Bible says, “entered into rest.” It is a good way to say it.
The phrase in Hebrews is specifically about entering into God’s rest, i.e., whatever God has in mind for each of us and the lot of us after this life. Our hopes are high, and our Church offers the theology expressed in our prayer, “Give courage and faith to those who are bereaved, that they may have strength to meet the days ahead in the comfort of a reasonable and holy hope, in the joyful expectation of eternal life with those they love.” It’s in my mind this morning, having just opened an email from a member of one of my Bible Seminars, saying that she can’t be us this morning because her mother has just been admitted to hospice and the family has been told that she is days or even hours from death. We all get there in time, both with loved ones and for ourselves personally, and it can be a time of anxiety, fear, peace, or of confidence and joyful anticipation in faith, of God’s assurance, even God’s promise.
The portion of Hebrews (in blue above) concludes the discussion of entering into rest by noting that we have no secrets from God who will judge us, but that we have Jesus the Son of God on our side, and that through him we may approach the throne of grace boldly, confident in God’s mercy and lovingkindness.
For all those who are dying, and especially for those who will die today, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
Amen.
TW+