11 Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience. 12-13  For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and  discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.  15-16 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been  tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:11-16 English Standard Version

What would you say verse 11 teaches us about believing the gospel message and becoming a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ?

I’d say it reminds us that being a Christian is far more than some emotional commitment we may’ve made in the past, and also much more than being brought up by Christian parents and going through the rites of the Church they belonged to. The word 'strive' implies energy and effort, and a determination to go the whole way and reach journey's end. Christians are called to press on in clinging to the message they had embraced, and not giving up when the going gets tough. That was the situation these mainly Jewish Christians to whom this letter was written were facing. Some were wondering if they should give up on Christ and go back to Judaism. The writer gives two good reasons why they ought rather to press on. What is his first one in vs 12-13?

He reminds them of the all searching power of words God has spoken. He had earlier set before them two important things that God had said. One was that there is a rest that all those who are faithful to God will experience. The other was the fearful warning that those who turned away from God in disobedience would never enter that rest! And the point he was making is that God's words are not idle. His words will surely come to pass. No one can escape their scrutiny. We can't pretend to be a Christian and think we will get by.

But he also gave a very encouraging reason, in vs 14, why they ought to press on in faith and keep following Jesus. He speaks of Jesus as being 'a high priest'. They would've been aware of the importance of a high priest from their Jewish background. But what did he say makes Jesus such a special high priest? (vs 15-16)

Apart from the fact that Jesus carries out His role as high priest in heaven itself, (vs 14), His time on earth fully acquainted him with the deepest trials and sorrows anyone could ever go through. He knows how strong temptation can be, yet never gave up obeying the Father. He knows what it’s like to be betrayed by enemies and feel forsaken by friends, and to be cursed and beaten. He experienced hunger and thirst. He even went through the dark valley of death. So, says the writer, we don't have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses! An this leads him to express why, and how, they should press on. He says: “Let us then draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

There are many places in the world where following Christ can be extremely difficult, even life threatening. There is no guarantee that such times may not come in our generation to lands that up to now have been more tolerant of Christianity. At such times a casual commitment to Christ will not endure. But the encouraging truth is that, in Jesus, we have a high priest in the Father's presence who is willing and able to help us to press on. We know for sure that He sees our tears and understands ours fears. His mercy and grace will enable us to keep going till the end. His promises are as dependable and certain as every word that God has spoken. Draw near to Him then with confidence.