So Great a High Priest: Good News from the Letter of Hebrews. Part 2: A Sharp Sword
My family and I will be attending the local Renaissance Faire in a few weeks to celebrate my middle child’s birthday. If you’ve never been, I recommend you try it . We’ve been going off and on for years and it’s an experience of traveling back in time to when people wore layers of clothing, eating turkey legs was not a Thanksgiving treat, and jousting was a form of entertainment. The current year’s scenario is its 1589 and Queen Elizabeth and her knights defeated the Spanish Armada and are celebrating the victory at the Mt Hope Shire. Where there will be puppet shows, glass blowing demonstrations, musicians and crafts, and even sword fighting. In fact, you can buy swords made there and be taught how to use them. Though you cannot carry them around the grounds for the sake of safety. Because let’s face it, a sword is a weapon. Just like our text shares today.
Last week we started our new sermon series on the book of Hebrews, a church struggling through difficult times. Between the rise of Nero and his on going persecution of Christians, it’s a weary church. But this author wants the church to have hope. So the letter begins with a strong understanding of Jesus, higher than the prophets and angels, this is our God, as we heard last week.
The section we heard read today points to the power of God’s word, using the symbol of a sharp sword. A two-edge sword to be exact. If you’re not familiar, a two edge sword means the blade can cut on both sides.
Therefore the imagery of a double edge sword for God’s word is to imagine that when we hear God’s Word, it strikes us in two ways: our thoughts & our intentions, what we think of and how we go from there. As theologian and Anglican priest NT Wright states, The word leads readers to the recognition of their own vulnerability in order that they might receive what God offers them.
Let me give you an example. Proverbs 12:25 in the Bible says, "Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, but a good word makes it glad". When we go through those times of stress and worry, we often become down if we cannot get a hold of it, for some of us, that’s real, it cuts us, we’ve been there, or are there.
But a good word makes the heart glad. Meaning to hear or be told something nice, helps. So the writer encourages us to say good words to those who are anxious and depressed. Now what are the good words you could say? You could certainly go with the basics like: “You like nice, I like your hair, your shoes, good job.”
But would the more powerful word be “ I see you, and I want you to know that you are not alone”
Now, don’t say it in a stalker voice please, but where do we get those good words?
How about we turn to the Bible and read stories like the encounter between prophet Elijah and a widow and her son gathering sticks when he arrives at the town of Zarephath. Elijah asks her for a piece of bread, and the destitute widow invites him to her home where she uses her last bit of flour and oil to bake for him.
The prophet then blesses the woman and her child, and assures them that their supplies of flour and oil will never be diminished. So there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family. 16 For the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry, in keeping with the word of the Lord spoken by Elijah. 1 Kings 17:15-16 God saw, God knew her plight, God saved her, good words to hear in anxious times.
And let’s face it isn’t that what Jesus would do as well, see people, give them good words during the anxious and depressing time? Hasn’t Jesus done that for us?
That’s what the author of Hebrews is getting at, there is conviction when we read the word of God, but there is always good news too, especially when seen through the lense of Jesus Christ. That’s what is meant in our text when we read, n. 15 For 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...
16 Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
The word of God is given like a double edge sword, or another way, the word of the Lord is like a physician’s double edge knife that cuts into our weakness, our illnesses, in order to heal us. Read the word and find God has been there, Jesus has experienced it, the Spirit has redeemed it. Therefore, we know we can turn to God to receive mercy and find grace to help in a time of need. 2
Let’s go back to Elisha and the widow and her son. Shortly thereafter Elijah’s encounter with them, the son dies. So Elijah offers this prayer to God: Verses 21-22 “Lord my God, let this boy’s life return to him!”22 The Lord heard Elijah’s cry, and the boy’s life returned to him, and he lived.
And the mother’s response: 24 Then the woman said to Elijah, “Now I know that you are a man of God and that the word of the Lord from your mouth is the truth.” This story is often interpreted as an Old Testament foreshadowing of the passion of Christ. In fact if you look at this painting, notice the artist has the son, clutching a bundle of firewood, which the artist claims was a pre-shadow of Christ carrying the cross. And what happens to the son? He is brought back from the dead, just like the resurrected Christ.
The word of the Lord offering hope and healing. And that’s not the only story in the Bible like that.
Let me share this image. The picture was created by researcher Chris Harrison and Pastor Christoph Römhild. It is an image of the Bible. Genesis is on the left and Revelation on the right. All 66 books of the Bible are listed.
What you see with the rainbow is the cross reference of one text to another so we see one cohesive story, that the developers say reveal the character, heart, purpose, and work of God.
So there is a line between Genesis 3:15 15 I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall crush your head, and you shall bruise his heel.” This is considered to be one of the first prophecy of Jesus. And so it connects to Romans 16:20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.
Even the books of the Bible that do not mention God cross reference too because of the similarities of the gospel. Like in Esther, Jesus is our advocate. Just as Esther put her life on the line to save her people, Jesus did too. And in Song of Solomon, 3:1 we read, On my bed by night I sought him whom my soul loves; I sought him And in 1 Peter 1:8 we read, Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory,
And notice by the time we come to the prophets, the ending of the Hebrew Bible, the arches are smaller
In Isaiah, Jesus is the suffering servant. In Ezekiel, Jesus is the Son of Man.
Before his ascension, Jesus said: “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Luke 24:44 The Bible tells a story, a united story of grace and mercy in Jesus Christ.
But I think what I appreciate the most out of this demonstration is the rainbow that displays the cross reference, because after all the rainbow is a promise of God’s good will for us.
Friends, the book of Hebrews is designed to engage us in the practices that renew our faith and community. Hearing the word and enacting on it means to shape our life together, to be the people who know and trust that the word of God is the Word of God, it is the mercy and grace of Jesus Christ that sees us, knows us, redeems us, never leaving us alone in troubles, never leaving us alone. 3
As we go now into a time of prayer, I will be offering intercessions saying “Lord in your mercy” I invite you to join me in saying “Hear our prayer” Because the word invites that of us, to give to God what is on our heart, and trust with mercy it will be received. Let us pray:
Gracious God, as we gather in this silence to bring to you our concerns and longings for the world, for the Church, and for ourselves. Because to be with you, it to release our burdens and be lightend to help each other.
So on this day, we pray for those dealing with the aftermaths of devasting hurricanes. Loss of lives, loss of homes, loss of communities are overwhelming, may those working for UMCOR and Red Cross and all other volunteers helping through this time, be your hands, your feet, your heart to assist in this recovery.
Lord, in your mercy: hear our prayer
God of Justice, we pray for all who lack freedom and suffer through injustice; for all who are denied basic human needs. In a world where there is so much conflict and unrest and the innocent suffer, we pray for leaders who seek God and fight for goodness, truth and equality for all. We pray at this time for the Middle East, for Ukraine, for the Congo, for parts of Mexico, may there be de-escalation and ceasefires especially for humanitarian and medical teams. And may there be generosity, compassion, and peace.
Lord, in your mercy: hear our prayer
God of Healing, we bring before you all who suffer in body, mind or spirit. We pray for the disillusioned and depressed who find the complexities of life too difficult to bear; for those living with chronic illness or facing a new frightening diagnosis; for those in constant pain; for those on waiting lists. May the skills and knowledge of those who care for the sick be fully used to help and to heal. May all who are ill, know the reality of your loving presence amongst them and help us to remember to give you thanks for our own health and strength.
Lord, in your mercy: hear our prayer
God of Compassion, we give thanks for those who have passed through this earthly life and are now with you in glory. We pray for those saddened by the death of someone close and dear to them, whether recently or as they mark an anniversary. Give to them the comfort which no one else can give and let them know the power of the resurrection of Jesus.
Lord, in your mercy: hear our prayer
Loving God, as we leave this place and go out into the world, may we go with open hearts, ready to receive life that is rich in love, joy and spiritual fulfilment. May the depth of spiritual connection bring meaning and purpose to our daily lives as we share the mercy and grace of Jesus Christ who taught us to prayer….Our Father… (sins).