Jesus rose from the dead on the third day, just as He said He would.  Death could not hold Him and He showed Himself alive to the women, the disciples, and others.  The eleven remaining disciples had a hard time believing  the reports of those who had seen Him.  “Later Jesus appeared to the eleven as they were eating; He rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen Him after He had risen.” (Mark 16:14)  These men should have been expecting the resurrection because Jesus had repeatedly told them about the crucifixion and coming resurrection.  To whom much is given, much is required.  A rebuke is a sign of love to those who can be corrected by it.  (Proverbs 13:1) (Revelation 3:19)

Jesus had final instructions for these disciples.   They were not to sit around feeling sorry for themselves and thinking of the good old days when Jesus was with them.  They must now go into all the world with the good news of Jesus Christ and preach to every creature.  Some would believe and be baptized unto salvation and others would refuse the good news and be eternally condemned. (Mark 16:15-16)

Those who believed had Jesus’ promise to confirm the good news with signs that would follow them and the preaching of the Gospel.  They would drive out demonic forces as they spoke in His name.  They would lay hands on the sick and see people healed in His name.  If they were poisoned or ran into satanic opposition, God promised to protect them.  Jesus would give them support.

Jesus was then taken up into heaven and He sat down at the right hand of God.  (Mark 16:19)   Acts records that Jesus was taken up into heaven on a cloud and would return the same way as He left.  (Acts 1:9-11)   Jesus had told the high priest and elders that they would see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Might One and coming on clouds of heaven.  (Mark 14:62)  From that position of power and authority, Jesus prays for us and watches over us as we preach the Gospel to every creature.  This is His plan to reach the entire world!  When this command is fulfilled, Jesus will come again on the clouds for His Bride, the church!  What exciting days we live in!

“Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess.  He was faithful to the one who appointed Him, just as Moses was faithful in all God’s house.  Jesus has been found worthy of greater honor that Moses, just as the builder of a house has greater honor than the house itself.” Hebrews 3:1-3

How we need to fix our thoughts today!  There is so much confusion from this  world bombarding us with it’s worries, demands, and fears.  The Bible is clear about where to fix our thoughts–on Jesus Christ!  By focusing on Jesus we can have rest from worry, fear, and religious works that try to gain God’s favor. We can rest in the finished work of Jesus Christ to bring us into God’s glorious rest!

Jesus is the Apostle and High Priest that we confess.  Jesus is the one sent by God to this earth to bring good news.  He is the good news from the Father!  He rose from the dead and became a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.  (Hebrews 5:8-10)  His perfect obedience enabled Him to be made perfect through suffering death on a cross for our sins. He is a great High Priest who knows what we are going through and how to come to our aid!  (Hebrews 4:14-16)  He lives forever and never sleeps.  He can intercede for us day or night.  His priestly ministry is always available and we have access by His own blood!

Jesus is greater than Moses, who led the people out of Egypt and gave them the law of God.  Moses was supposed to lead the people into the promised land, but the people rebelled.  They would not listen to God’s Word and rebelled.  Their unbelief kept them from their inheritance!  (Hebrews 3:19)

Jesus is greater than Joshua who also failed to lead God’s people to the full conquest of the promised land.  Jesus ushers each of us into a new day–today!  (Hebrews 4:6-7) We can enter the rest by faith in Him!  As we hear His voice and respond in faith to His word, we rest from our religious works and place our full trust on God’s provision through Jesus Christ!

This theme of rest is one of my favorites!  I have been programmed to work for everything all my life.  I must be diligent to enter this rest by placing my faith in Christ’s work for me.  It takes humility and respect for God’s sovereign plan to enter in.  What a glorious rest!  Today is the day if you need real rest!  Share this rest with someone close to you!