Hebrews 4

These 16 verses are loaded:

Notice that in Christ we "enter into God's rest." This concept is at the heart of Grace. Grace announces that we are forgiven and because God's love has already covered us we can stop our striving to earn God's favor and enter into that favor. In a sense we surrender to what God has done. Over and over again the New Testament tells us that we are "save through faith" and "not of our works and efforts." The "sabbath rest" of God ends our striving to earn God's favor and frees us to live, love and serve.

Notice in 12 that the "word of God" pierces through all of our armor and brings clarity of understanding (judgment). We stand before the word naked and without excuse. All we can do is receive the word and live into it.

Finally, starting at verse 14 we have a marvelous thought. Jesus, our high priest, is the most unique person who ever lived. He was fully human and fully God at the same time. Because of his God side he has the power and authority to accomplish all he was sent to do. Because of his human side we are able to relate to him as human beings. We "do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses -- we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin." Jesus lived our journey and knows and shows the way to victory.