Rest is something important. When weary and tired we need a place of recovery and peace. The Promised Land was to be such a place for Israel but many failed to enter it because of unbelief (v1-4).

The writer speaks of the Sabbath as a great picture of the rest that we need and can experience (v4-5). The Promised Land and the Sabbath are themselves not the fulfilment of the rest spoken of. They point to a greater rest that can be experienced ‘Today’ (v6-10).

The big problem in entering this rest is the state of our sinful hearts which are revealed to us by the sharp sword of God’s Word (v11-13).

Just when we might be getting discouraged at being able to enter this rest the writer points to our great hope and the source of true rest, Jesus our great high priest (v14-16). Take time to ponder and pray about these last three verses. The message about Jesus our sympathetic and glorious high priest is glorious and shows that through Jesus alone we can find rest for our sin and our weariness.