Scripture: Hebrews 4:1-6
1Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us fear lest any of you should seem to have failed to reach it. 2For 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.[a] 3For we who have believed enter that rest, as he has said,
"As I swore in my wrath,
'They shall not enter my rest,'"
although his works were finished from the foundation of the world. 4For he has somewhere spoken of the seventh day in this way: "And God rested on the seventh day from all his works." 5And again in this passage he said,
"They shall not enter my rest."
6Since therefore it remains for some to enter it, and those who formerly received the good news failed to enter because of disobedience, 7again he appoints a certain day, "Today," saying through David so long afterward, in the words already quoted,
"Today, if you hear his voice,
do not harden your hearts."
"WALLED UP?"
On the day of his triumphal entry, Jesus rode through the Golden Gate into Jerusalem. On the day we visited, we were unable to enter in. In fact for over 1000 years, no pilgrim has been able to enter through the Golden Gate. It is walled up. Shut with brick and mortar by Muslims who believe they can keep the Jewish Messiah out. Little do they know He is already here! For many years, this sealed entrance has stood as mute testimony to the hardness of heart of those who would resist the Savior.
Our text from Hebrews warns us to avoid hardening our hearts to Christ. How easy it is to wall up parts of our lives and attempt to keep Jesus out. How we try to keep certain sins to ourselves. How we resist the Spirit’s efforts to change us.
Maybe its time you and I tear down some of the walls that keep Christ out of our lives. The hymnwriter reveals Jesus’ deepest desire: “The Savior is waiting to enter your heart. Why don’t you let Him come in? There’s nothing in this world to keep you apart. What is your answer to Him? Time after time He has waited before, and now He is waiting again, to see if you’re willing to open the door. Oh how He wants to come in!”
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