"For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to divide soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." Hebrews 4:12-16
Today's reading stands as one of my favorite passages, a piece of Scripture I've held onto for a long time. Numerous things stick out to me throughout these four verses. But there is also a thread sewn into all these different ideas - God is in charge of our hearts and wants to bring healing to them. I would love to stay "in control" to make this reality seem less harsh, but the truth is He is in charge, and His way is the only way that brings about the true healing that we desire.
The author's first point in these verses is that God's Word is "alive and active." His Word was not just active and working long ago, but he is alive and moving now. He goes on to say that the Word of God is also "sharper than any double-edged sword; it penetrates even to divide soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." It exposes our weakness and dependence on God, describing Him as a Surgeon.
One of the first things that typically sticks out to people about this verse is the use of the word "judges," which is what the Word does. However, I think what we miss is the fact that God's Word is the only thing that can truly judge our hearts. And for our hearts to be truly judged, it means they must be exposed and cut open to receive healing and redemption. There is no judgement without the opportunity of redemption. Pointing out our weakness here is to understand that we are not the ones working out healing; there's a Surgeon in charge, and we have to trust that He knows how to do His job well.
He is in charge of healing; we just have to be willing to trust Him with our hearts. The next verse says, "Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account." I love that verse 12 points out our need for the Surgeon, and verse 13 shows us that we are already exposed to Him. He already sees us for who we are and the sin that has entered our lives. If we are already "laid bare" before Him, why not let Him continue the healing procedure?
This would be very similar to you going in to get a mass removed from your heart, and right when they finished opening you up and held the scalpel to the edge of the growth, you say, "actually, I'm sure I'll be fine, sew me up Doc." When we try to take charge during this surgery, we wimp out and choose not to go through it. To have this surgery, we have to trust that we are too weak to be in charge of it. But thankfully, we have a God who is more than just strong and powerful to heal us, but He also understands us.
In verse 14, the author reminds us that "we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin." How fortunate are we to have our God as the Surgeon and also the Counselor. He can do the work, execute the healing, but He doesn't forget how hard it is. He knows the pain and weakness in it not because He fell to sin but because He was in charge of defeating it. He understands our temptation and desire to take control of our lives, but He was the one who defeated death and ascended into heaven (14), so we can have faith and trust in Him.
If we believe in God's Word, that it is alive and working, we recognize that He is the only one that can perform the surgery. Because He empathizes with fo\r our weakness, our subsequent natural response is to approach Him more confidently than we did before. "Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." When we realize that we are not the ones in charge and learn to trust the Surgeon and His Work, we are more eager to approach Him overall.
When we experience the part of the surgery that is receiving mercy and finding grace, it is easier to trust the One in charge. What areas of your life have you let God be in charge of? What growth and transformation took place due to your willingness to give God access to this part of Your heart? What areas of your life are you having difficulty releasing control and letting God speak into and work through?
Prayer: Father God, thank you for being both Surgeon and Counselor, bringing healing and empathizing with my weakness. How kind You are to know my pain and want to deliver me from it. Help me to trust Your Word, Lord, to work and move in me so that I may know You more. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
