Highlighted Text: Hebrews 4:12-16

The author of Hebrews concludes chapter 3 with the history of Israel’s unbelief in the wilderness which kept the unfaithful among them from entering into the rest of His promised land (3:1-19). The tone of the passage is stern, serving as a warning to those who would desire peace with God to repent of “a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God” (3:12). Some still remain who are outside of God’s promises because of their unbelief, still waiting to be brought into full fellowship with God (4:1-10). While much of Hebrews 3:1-4:10 is a warning that the good news of God’s promises of Sabbath and other blessings are reserved for those who believe His Word, the passage hinges on 4:11, with the hope that those listening would “make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following [rebellious Israel’s] example of disobedience.” 

If the passage ended with 4:11, we would only be left with the hope that we would be more faithful than Israel in the wilderness: desperate for God’s blessing but enslaved to our own sinful hearts. What’s more, our own passage begins with the reminder that the Law, God’s Word, doesn’t sleep. It finds each sinful way in us and leaves us defenseless if we were to try to argue our own merit (4:12-13). Without righteousness of our own to cling to, we cling to faith in the Righteous One, our Great High Priest who makes an offering for our sins (4:14). It is faith, rather than our records, that gives us hope. We hold fast to his record of sinlessness, not our own (4:15). It’s in our claim to Christ’s record, rather than our own, that we “approach God’s throne of grace with confidence” (4:16). 

The complimentary lectionary readings for this week only help to clarify our need for Christ’s righteousness and our own inescapable depravity. Mark 10:17-31 describes the interaction between Christ and the rich man. While the rich man is convinced that he has led a righteous life (10:19-20), the living Word is sharper than any double-edged sword” and “penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; [he] judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart” (Heb. 4:12b; Mark 10:21). Ultimately, the man leaves the room discouraged by his inability to keep the Law without recognizing the righteousness available to him, speaking to him (Mark 10:22; Heb. 4:15-16). 

Job, likewise, is determined to bring his own record of righteousness before God. While Job is unaware of any sin that would have brought such tragedy to his life, he wants a fair trial so God will present him with any sins unbeknownst to him. Job knows both that God’s appraisal of our hearts is a “terrifying” ordeal but also that the innocent can stand in God’s presence vindicated (Job 23:16-17). It’s only in Christ that any of us would inherit the title of “good” in God’s sight (Mark 10:17-18) and give an account of our forgiven lives (Heb. 4:16). It is because of Jesus bearing our record of wrong intentions, actions, and thoughts, experiencing the full heat of God’s wrath and full forsakenness from the Father at the Cross (Psa. 22:1-15) that we can stand in confidence and uprightness before the Father (Heb. 4:16). 

For those of us who waver in our confidence before God, hesitant to rush into his presence because of our sins and forgetfulness, we must remember we enter the throne room of God without our sins and with a perfect, substituted record of righteousness because of Christ.

Logos (4:12a, 13b) – God’s Word, his ‘logos’ (4:12a) is actively instructing us how to live, leaving every one of us without excuse. It pierces all of our best excuses or explanations for life outside His will (4:12b). In turn, each of us will be called to give an account, a ‘logos,’ for every one of our thoughts, actions, and intentions (4:13b). It will be God’s logos versus ours. 

Gymnos and Trachelizo (4:13b) – The physicality and violence of these verses is jarring and is meant to amplify the power of the Word of God. The Word of God pierces, disjoints, and breaks down all our attempts at self-righteousness. These two words, in particular, translated “uncovered” and “laid bare” are much more forceful and violent in the Greek. Gymnos is the word for stripping someone of their clothes and trachelizo portrays pinning someone to the ground by the neck so to publicly overpower and expose them ((think, “trachea”). 

Megas (4:14) – The use of the Greek megas to describe our High Priest can either be translated “Great” or “Loud.” This may be a play on words, since the speech of our High Priest speaks louder in his advocacy for us than the accusation of the Law which exposes our sins (4:13).

Call to Worship

Leader: Who can stand before the glory of God?

Who can see His face and live?

All: Only those who are given pardon by Christ, our Great High Priest. 

Leader: 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. 

Opening Prayer/Prayer of Invocation

Heavenly Father, we come before you as beggars in need of your voice. As we lift up our thoughts, songs, and prayers, we lean in to hear how you would speak back to us. We yearn to hear the voice of Jesus our Great High Priest, pleading for us, providing a greater word for us than we could ever hope to provide for our own defense. Speak now, Holy Spirit, and help us understand the mercy and grace available to each of us today. Amen.

Charles Teixeira

Confession of Sin

Adapted from Hebrews 4:12-13

Leader: The word of God is alive and active. 

Sharper than any double-edged sword, 

it penetrates even to dividing 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. 

All: Let us come before our holy God with all honesty, 

knowing He sees each of our sins, 

and seek forgiveness in the name of Christ, our Lord. 

Assurance of Pardon

Leader: In keeping with our Great High Priest, and with all authority of the Holy Spirit present with us now, I assure you that all who seek forgiveness from Christ of their sins stand before God forgiven today. Thanks be to God!

Benediction 

Leader: May we go from here knowing we stand upright before the Father because of Christ’s works and not our own. Go, and serve the Lord in the power of the Holy Spirit!