March 22nd Reflection by Bill Lynch

Hebrews 4:1-13 (NRSV)
God promises an eternal sabbath rest
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. For 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. For 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. For in one place it speaks about the seventh day as follows, "And God rested on the seventh day from all his works." And again in this place it says, "They shall not enter my rest." Since therefore it remains open for some to enter it, and those who formerly received the good news failed to enter because of disobedience, again 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." For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not speak later about another day. So then, a sabbath rest still remains for the people of God; for those who enter God's rest also cease from their labors as God did from his. Let us therefore make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one may fall through such disobedience as theirs.

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. And 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.

Reflection
Here is the real "Left Behind" series. This one is not reading to entertain. This one is for believers. As we hear, read, observe, and receive God's Word in various ways we come to a decision point. The Israelites in the wilderness had a decision point also.

In the beginning God created. At the end of creation, God rested. God wants us to rest with him. With the Israelites, that rest included entry into the Promised Land. With God's rest in this day, we can enter into a rest that is now both here and not yet. I'll explain that later.

The Israelites were invited into God's rest upon entering the Promised Land. They first needed to believe in God and place all or their trust and hope in God's guidance and power. The entry into the Promised Land  is a rest that is here and not yet. There is a greater rest that is fulfilled in Jesus coming again. For now, God invites us, the Gentiles, to a rest through Jesus life, ministry, suffering, death and resurrection. Jesus even experienced a rest, here and not yet.

We have been given the Word in the Bible and in the Gospels and in the Sacraments and in the voices and actions of people and all things created, to permit us to hear God's voice. Upon the hearing, we have a decision to make. We can believe and enter God's rest here and now or run away and be "left behind" from God's rest.

When we believe and enter into God's rest now we change. The focus of our lives changes from ourselves and our own needs to what God would have us do and believe. We are changed into different people and see the world in a different way. We yearn to hear God's voice in so many ways and follow Jesus as disciples. Our lives completely change.

And you don't escape this change even if you have been a believer for as long as you can remember. You are changing. Your faith is growing. Your life is moving towards Christ, and God is using you in ways you may not even see or feel. You will not be "left behind" in God's rest that is not yet, but you receive the joy of God's rest that is here and now. We no longer need to be tormented by our sin. We are free from our sin to live for and in Jesus. That's some rest that is here. And in Jesus coming again we are promised a rest that is "not yet" that will be completely free from the temptation of sin and our human failures. We will have reached the Promised Land that today is "not yet".

Don't be left behind. Believe the voice of God and grow in faith today. Live in God's rest now and wait for the fulfillment of the God's rest that is "not yet." Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord, may all who hear your voice believe and enter into your rest today... use me if I can help. --- Amen