The Word and Work of our High Priest

“Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience. 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.

“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. 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 ESV.

The author writes that we should be diligent and strive to enter into God’s rest. Verse 10 says, “For the one who has entered His [God’s] rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from His.” This puts me in mind of Philippians 2:12 – 13, which teaches that we are to “…work out your own salvation with fear and trembling for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.”

We enter into rest as we strive, but striving must be animated by the Holy Spirit, and as the Holy Spirit lives through us we rest in Him. Jesus says (John 15) that we are to abide in Him if we are to bear fruit and that without Him we can do nothing. Just as nothing exists without Him (John 1:3) so nothing can exist in our lives of eternal worth without Him. If we are new creations (2 Cor. 5:17 -18) then He must be our Author and Sustainer and all that is of the New Creation is of Christ Jesus – we have nothing to bring with us into the New Creation – it is all Jesus Christ.

The Working of the Word of God, which is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, wounds us, humbles us, convicts us, and leads us to repentance; then God’s Word heals us, brings life to us, and transforms us into the image of Jesus Christ. We enter into rest as the Word of God performs the Work of God.

But who wields this sword of the Holy Spirit? In Revelation 1:16 John sees “a sharp two-edged sword” coming from the mouth of the risen and ascended Christ Jesus.

In the above passage in Hebrews, we see our High Priest Jesus; a High Priest who is compassionate and sympathetic, sitting on the throne of grace, to whom we can come for mercy and grace. It is our High Priest who wields the Word/Sword dividing the sacrifice (Romans 12:1 - 2) as we offer ourselves to Him.

We present ourselves to our merciful and faithful High Priest and He graciously and sympathetically (4:15 - 16) lays us open and works His healing and transformation within us into His image.

Am I offering myself to be laid bare before my Lord and my God?

What about you?