Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one may fall through such disobedience as theirs. Indeed, the word of God is living and active, 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. 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. 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. 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 as we are, yet without sin. 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.
Boldness... but not only boldness; "boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." This word "boldness" stands out like no other to me today. The willingness to take a risk in order to "approach the throne of grace."
When I think of the context of this reading, I am drawn to the imagery that the writer uses, calling the word of God a two-edged sword, that pierces until it divides soul from spirit. To me, that is the conviction that the love of Jesus gives you. Jesus, God's true and loving Word" loves us so much that it cuts right through to who we are, deep down... down to the innermost depths of our soul. And then, Jesus in our vulnerable bareness, through our confession of self, when we have been stripped of the hardness of the world's outer shell, love us and forgives us. Jesus forgives us, recreates us, and takes us in, reconciling us to God our creator.
How can Jesus do this? Jesus knows what it is to be human and deal with human life and hardship. We have Jesus who connects humanity to God. He does so in a way that has us lay aside the things that separate us from God, so we can boldly claim God's favor for us as we claim our place in the Kingdom. Are we willing to be that bold?
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