Monday Devotional: October 7, 2024
Bible Reading: Hebrews 4:12-16 (NRSVUE)
12 Indeed, the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And before him no creature is hidden, but all are naked and laid bare to the eyes of the one to whom we must render an account. 14 Since, then, we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession. 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[a] as we are, yet without sin. 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.
My friend Michael talks with difficulty. When we pray together after dinner, he utters his prayers slowly and simply — and sometimes commandingly: “God, my mother is s-s-sick…C-Can’t WALK! You better do something, God… You better DO s-something!”
Michael’s boldness reminds me of the exhortation in today’s passage from Hebrews to approach God’s throne of grace “with boldness.” The theme resonates throughout the readings for this week. In their suffering or emptiness, Job, the psalmist, and the man in Mark’s Gospel all boldly seek God.
Today’s passage suggests that our bold seeking of God’s grace comes as a response to having allowed God’s word to judge our innermost thoughts and intentions. In exposing ourselves to God’s word, we come to see our shadow side: thoughts of which we are ashamed come to light. The reference to the sharp two-edged sword describes an experience that will be painful but precise and will reveal small details we have not noticed- greed and pride or other sinful attitudes that may accompany our good deeds. We may feel inclined to draw back from God, but the writer reminds us of sympathetic counsel: “a high priest…who in every respect has been tested as we are.” With the support of Jesus, we “approach the throne of grace with boldness,” confident of God’s mercy and grace.
The image of the high priest returns me to Michael who, in his simple, profound heart-felt and direct intercession, seems to adopt the role of high priest on behalf of his mother who is very ill. Perhaps he models for us the possibilities for our own intercession for others.
Prayer
Loving God, help me to seek your grace boldly in my own need and for others. Amen.
By Beth Porter, The Upper Room Disciplines 2012, page 298.
Bible Study
“Approaching God Boldly”
Bible Readings: Psalm 22:1-15, Hebrews 4:12-16
ZOOM Session
Monday, October 7, 2024, 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm
For Zoom Link, send email to [email protected]
IN-PERSON Session
Wednesday, October 9, 2024, 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm
Conference Room, McGee Building