One of the few times I have ever been under a surgeon’s scalpel is when I was in High School, and I had a tonsillectomy (I hope I spelled this correctly!). I came down with a very bad throat and the doctor determined that my tonsils were the problem, and they had to come out. I know that many of you have had some pretty big surgeries in your life, and my tonsils just don’t compare to many of you, but I want you to know it shook me up! I hated the idea of someone getting down in my throat while I was out cold and pulling something out. The best part was that my girlfriend (now my wife) came with other classmates to the hospital and brought me some ice cream and cheered me up.
I do not like being under the knife for anything!
Last Sunday, I worked my way through the first part of Hebrews 4 and taught through the Sabbath Rest that God has available for us. The message meant a great deal to me personally. But I feel compelled this weekend to make sure we spend some time on what I believe might be one of the greatest ‘spiritual heart surgery’ verses in the Bible… Hebrews 4:12-13
Hebrews 4:12-13For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
Please realize that the context of this powerful verse sits in between the Old Testament theology of Sabbath Rest, and the one that is just about to come in Hebrews 5, 6 & 7… the Great High Priest. I have been so moved by this passage, I want to make sure we get our hands on it. But much more that this, I want to make sure that we don’t miss what the Masterful Surgeon, the Spiritual Surgeon, the Sympathetic Surgeon can and will do with our hearts when we place our soul in His hands.
Before you come this Sunday March 12, spend some time again in Hebrews 4 and 5. Spend some time pouring over 4:12-13. Try to memorize it.
In our Wednesday evening Men’s group last week, one of the guys shared a quote that they had heard that I think is so applicable…
“the Bible is the only book that reads you while you read it.”
How true! I can’t wait until Sunday morning again when we open God’s Word together.
