Hebrews 4:12-16 (NRSV)
Read Hebrews 4:12-16 on biblegateway.com
Verse 12Indeed, 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. Verse 13And 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. Verse 14Since, 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. Verse 15For 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. Verse 16Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Devotion
At the 2022 Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Churchwide Assembly, a service of Holy Communion uplifted Native voices to mark the “Repudiation of the Doctrine of Discovery” (see Tuesday’s meditation). Many words heard during that assembly pierced us like a two-edged sword, laying bare wrongs of the past. Likewise, we received mercy and found grace through Word and Sacrament. Permeating the service was a theme: “God of diversity, who made the world in colors, in seasons, in endless variety; who created all the earth’s peoples in God’s own image.” Burning sage and prayers spoken while facing the four cardinal directions centered our hearts and minds on a God who sympathizes with our weaknesses. We prayed for mercy and grace to learn the way of true repentance and reconciliation. It was a beginning. Each of us is called to continue on this communal journey where we cherish every person as a beloved child of our Creator God.
Prayer
Creator God, judge the thoughts and intentions of our hearts and open our hearts and minds that we may receive mercy and find grace. Amen.
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