29
th
Week After Pentecost Á-? TUESDAY
TodayÁ-?s readings, followed by a few exegetical, pastoral & personal thoughts
.
Hebrews 4:1-13
1
Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest,
any of you should seem to come short of it.
2
For unto us was the gospel preached, as
well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with
faith in them that heard it.
3
For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said,
As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were
finished from the foundation of the world.
4
For he spake in a certain place of the
seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works.
5
And in
this place again, If they shall enter into my rest.
6
Seeing therefore it remaineth that
some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in
because of unbelief:
7
Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so
long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
8
For if
Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day. 9
There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.
10
For he that is entered into his
rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.
11
Let us labour
therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.
12
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword,
piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow,
and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
13
Neither is there any
creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the
eyes of him with whom we have to do.
Luke 21:12-19
12
But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you,
delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and
rulers for my name's sake.
13
And it shall turn to you for a testimony.
14
Settle it
therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer:
15
For I will give
you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor
resist.
16
And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and
friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death.
17
And ye shall be hated
of all men for my name's sake.
18
But there shall not an hair of your head perish.
19
In
your patience possess ye your souls.
Heb 4:1-2
Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of
you should seem to come short of it.
2
For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as
unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in
them that heard it.
Hebrews is among the most difficult of all the books in the entire bible, but within its
intricate layers of theology are certain things that anyone with Á-°ears to hearÁ-? can
understand. These verses are such an example.
The Gospel is very simple: hear, believe, do, and be saved. We are such fickle, lazy
creatures that we often delude ourselves into believing that hearing is enough, as if