Hebrews 4:12-16 (NRSV)
Read Hebrews 4:12-16 on biblegateway.com
Verse 12Indeed, the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Verse 13And before him no creature is hidden, but all are naked and laid bare to the eyes of the one to whom we must render an account. Verse 14Since, then, we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession. Verse 15For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin. Verse 16Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Devotion
The first two verses of our text are some of the most descriptive, delicious words in the New Testament. What I like about them is that the author does not claim that the Word of God is found in an ancient scroll, much less flowing from his own pen. He has a powerfully tangible understanding of the Word made flesh. The Word is alive and has the power to strip us bare, like naked, chained criminals under glaring lights before a faultless judge and jury. When such a Word cuts, exposes and, some might say, even lurks, waiting to get us, who can stand? No one. We’re done for.
But wait. Jesus, though sinless, knows the experience. He knows the cut, the judgment; he knows what it means to be the criminal exposed. This is mercy: The judge was himself judged and deeply cut – for us. Such knowledge calls for a doxology as our prayer:
Prayer
Praised be Jesus, the Word, who suffered beneath the power of God and humans to save us from the judgment of the Word. Amen.