4.1.2015 Wednesday of Holy Week Hebrews
4:1-16 A Sabbath-rest for the people of God
The Word of God remains forever and
always accomplishes the work that it is sent to do. The person striving will be
helped by the Word. God’s Word gives life. It is sharper
than any two-edged sword. Even the sharpest sword can cut only through
flesh and bone; God’s Word cuts through any spiritual barriers, that stand
between human beings and God. Division of
soul and spirit. God’s Word cuts to the innermost part of a human being,
discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. God’s Word exposes the
true state of a person’s heart before God. The comparison to a sword emphasizes
God’s work in our lives through the Law, in keeping with the exhortation in
3:13
Martin Luther explains, “Christ’s Word breaks through and wounds. It
takes away every ground of trust and ascribes redemption solely to the blood of
Christ, it pricks and wounds the soul. This is a health-bestowing wound, for
these weapons kill in order to make alive…It is, however, a fall that is happy
and full co consolation, demonstrating the power and success of the Word.”
(American Edition, 12:225)[2]
Be diligent
to enter into that rest. The rest is there. But God doesn’t force it upon you.
The rest is entered by faith. Faith is not passive, it takes diligence to
trust, rely and cling to Jesus and His work for you.
Lord
God, whose blessed Son our Savior gave his body to be whipped and his face to
be spit upon: Give us grace to accept joyfully the sufferings of the present
time, confident of the glory that shall be revealed; through Jesus Christ your
Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God,
forever and ever. Amen[3]
[1] Image
by Ed Rioja © Higher Things
[2]
Lutheran Study Bible, © 2009 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis
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