Students of the Bible refer to a scarlet thread of redemption that runs through the Old and New Testament. Jesus declared this truth as He spoke to the Jewish people:

For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote about Me. (John 5:46)

The book of Hebrews emphasizes the supremacy of Christ over all things. In chapters three and four the author’s paraenesis reveals how we may experience God’s rest. He challenges us to be diligent to enter God’s rest and then gives this principle:

For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, even penetrating as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)

A cursory reading of this verse may lead one to interpret the word of God as the Bible; however, the context of this verse seems to point to a deeper meaning. The phrase word of God may refer to the Scriptures and it may also refer to Jesus:

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (John 1:1)

The Greek word logos embodies a conception or idea and in this verse it refers to Jesus. We also see that the word of God is living; in the Greek New Testament this word is in the present tense and comes first in the sentence for emphasis. Jesus has risen from the dead and is actively interceding on behalf of His people:

Therefore He is also able to save forever those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. (Hebrews 7:25)

The ability to judge the thoughts and intentions of our heart depicts God’s omniscience (cf. Psalm 139:2). Jesus demonstrated this ability during His earthly ministry:

And Jesus, perceiving their thoughts, said, “Why are you thinking evil in your hearts?” (Matthew 9:4)

You may be thinking, “Everything you said about Jesus may also apply to the Bible.” The next verse provides additional support that this verse refers to Jesus:

And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him to whom we must answer. (Hebrews 4:13)

Notice the personal pronouns that are used – His sight and the eyes of Him. We do not refer to the Scriptures with a masculine personal pronoun. There are several references in the Scriptures to the eyes of the Lord:

The eyes of the Lord are in every place, watching the evil and the good. (Proverbs 15:3)

This chapter concludes with an appeal to come, not to the Scriptures, but to our great high priest:

Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let’s hold firmly to our confession. (Hebrews 4:14)

Rick Higgins

Associate Pastor – Discipleship.  The Church at LifePark