God’s promise of entering his rest still stands, so we ought to tremble with fear that some of you might fail to experience it. — Hebrews 4

For six and a half days a week, my mind and motor run pretty high.

Going all the way back to when I was a kid watching football with my dad, there have been a couple of hours each week after church services where I can actually turn it off.

It’s short, but it’s powerful.

It feels like an emotional, physical, mental and spiritual refueling station. The only word I can find to describe it is rest.

The author of Hebrews calls attention to the most critical rest of them all — God’s rest.

It’s an eternal rest that begins the day we say “Yes” to Jesus.

No more worthless attempts to perform our way to heaven.

No more soul-crushing moments of coming to the dead ends of this world’s answers.

It’s the rest of faith in Jesus.

God has set today as the time for us to enter into his rest.

I see many tired eyes these days. The fatigue of living in a fallen world is real and intense.

We receive life-draining wounds from other people, our own bad choices and the fact we live in a world contaminated by sin.

Our bodies ache.

Our hearts are broken.

Our minds are confused.

“So, let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find his grace to help us when we need it most.” Enter into that “special rest still waiting for the people of God.”

Sin and salvation

…so also Christ was offered once for all time as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people. He will come again, not to deal with our sins, but to bring salvation to all who are eagerly waiting for him. — Hebrews 9

Movie-makers have long ago recognized the profitability of sequels.

When a movie hits it big, the wheels start spinning.

Possible story lines begin to develop that bring back these now-loved characters and their adventures.

In high school, I was taken in hook, line and sinker with the “Back to the Future” series and “Raiders of the Lost Ark” series.

Secretly, I keep hoping to see Marty McFly and Indiana Jones on the big screen one more time.

The Book of Hebrews presents repeatedly the greatest sequel of all times — the return of Jesus.

In Chapter 9, the author lays out clearly what Jesus’ mission was the first time he came.

Defeat sin.

He did that on the cross and proved it by raising from the dead.

Now, we wait in eager anticipation for his return.

We are living between the two.

Soon, he will arrive again bringing with him the full reality of his salvation that we begin to receive when we put our faith and trust in him.

Waiting, typically, doesn’t fall on our Top 10 favorite things lists.

We prefer to jump right into the next thing.

Ever since Jesus ascended to heaven, his followers have been wanting to see him come back.

The Bible tells us he waits because he doesn’t want anyone to miss out on heaven. He wants everyone to say “yes” to Jesus.

Perhaps he’s waiting on you? Or maybe your loved ones, friends, neighbors, coworkers?

Regardless, remain prayerfully expectant and vigilant because his next arrival is going to be the sequel that ends all sequels.

Watchman

Now, son of man, I am making you a watchman for the people of Israel. Therefore, listen to what I say and warn them for me. — Ezekiel 33

I read a story some time ago about Alexander the Great.

One restless night he walked out of his tent to stroll through the camp of his massive army.

He came upon one of the soldiers on guard duty who was sound asleep.

After being woken up, the man was mortified as the punishment was immediate execution.

Alexander looked him in the eyes and demanded his name.

“Alexander,” the man sheepishly replied.

After a brutally painful pause, Alexander the Great said, “It’s time for you to live up to your name.”

Ezekiel the Prophet had a seriously tough job.

Time and again the Lord gave him some of the most difficult and unusual assignments that a prophet had been given in the Bible.

In today’s chapter, we find Ezekiel given another responsibility — watchman.

He now carried the extra burden of non-stop guard duty.

He was accountable to someone infinitely greater than Alexander the Great. He was accountable to God.

Watch.

Warn.

Sound the alarm.

Listen to me and tell them what I say.

Our world needs watchmen these days.

Our community needs them. Our churches need them. Our families need them.

You and I need to have them and be them. Faithful ambassadors from the Lord who in word and deed bear witness to the love of Jesus.

There is no way to honestly say we love others and fail to share the Good News about Jesus.

He died on the cross for our sin. He was buried. He rose again on the third day victorious over sin and death.

The only way to have peace with God is through him.

Calling all Watchmen! It’s time to report for duty.

Wiles is senior minister of Fall Creek Christian Church in Pendleton. He can be reached at 765-778-3166.