Today's Reading: Hebrews 4:9-13
Daily Lectionary: Job 7:1-21; John 4:7-26
For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. There's a reason the Word is compared to a two-edged sword. It's because it has not only a Law edge, but also a Gospel edge. The Law edge slices and cuts, because of our sins. The Law edge pierces us and cuts with the judging, killing power of God. It is the part of the sword that slashes us for our sins!
The Gospel edge cuts away those sins, and fends off our enemies. The Gospel tells us that Jesus died for our sins and that we have forgiveness freely for his sake. The Gospel teaches us what God has done for us in Christ.
We see the two-edged nature of the sword of God's Word most clearly at the cross. There, when the Word-made-flesh dies for our sins, we see the two-edged sword in action. There is the blade of the Law, slashing and drawing blood from Jesus. That is the harsh cutting power of God's judgment against our sins. There is also the blade of the Gospel, beheading death and gutting the Devil's power over us because of our sins. Judgment upon Jesus and grace for us—a two-edged sword.
That double-bladed Word also does its work at the font, killing our Old Adam and making us alive. It does its work in absolution, slashing us in repentance and rescuing us in faith in Christ's forgiveness. It's two-edged power is seen at the altar where the sins in us are put to death and life is given by Jesus' crucified and risen body and blood.
The Word of God exposes the thoughts of our hearts (yes, even THOSE thoughts!) But the other edge of that sword exposes the thoughts of God's heart—that He loves you and forgives you in Christ. In the Name of Jesus. Amen.
May glorious truths that we have heard, The bright sword of Your mighty Word, Spurn Satan that Your Church be strong, Bold, unified in act and song. (LSB 585:4)