RHETORICAL FLOURISH - The Word of God is not just a theological statement uttered as some self-expressed view of the writer. But the statement, "For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword . . ." draws on and reasserts what has been said already in Hebrews: The God who spoke still speaks, and that word is inescapably valid (2:2-4). "In the writer’s theology, words of Scripture are words of God to us today. Hence, the Word is living and active (Isaiah 55:11), sharper than any two-edged sword (cf. Isaiah 49:2; Ephesians 6:17; Revelations 19:15). The word that creates is also able to discern and judge (Ps. 51:6, Amos 1:2)." [1]

THE WORD OF GOD - The Word of God is not being defined here [in Hebrews 4:12-13] . . . what the author does is appeal to Scripture in such a way as to assume that the readers accept that tradition as normative, and then interpret that Scripture so as to address the readers in their own circumstance. This too, is done in such a way as to assume that the readers accept interpretation of Scripture as the regular activity of the community . . . when God speaks, the word is incisive, revealing what is hidden and giving its hearers the experience of being exposed before God with full accounts to be rendered. [2]

Have words ever pierced you? That is, words spoken by a friend, a family member, a colleague that penetrated your inner space, got beyond your normal place of listening?

What was the impact of those words? Were they words that caused pain? Were they healing words? Or did they confront or challenge?

If you identify the Word-logos of Hebrews 4:12-13 with Jesus as the Final Word uttered by God, (see Hebrews 1:1-4) and thus superior to the previous prophetic words, then consider this homiletic possibility: God’s Word as embodied in and by Jesus.

Begin with the foundational need for communication between living things. Warnings, anger, joy, and information all happen through communication. Among humans, however, communication finds expression primarily through the complexity of language, syntax, words, etc.

Shift to the ways that God chose to communicate with humans-God-words via human mouths (prophets), God’s word through the creation (Psalm 19, for example), but fully and finally God’s great word has been uttered through a God/human being-Jesus.

And what word is God saying to us through this Word? Answer that question not through words, but through actions and words in the life of Jesus as recorded in the synoptics. Be selective and brief, but demonstrate God’s communication of love, forgiveness, healing, and empowerment through Jesus’ earthly journey.

And what is the Word that is Jesus has God spoken to us? You answer that!

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[1] The New Interpreter’s Bible XII (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1998), page 54.
[2] Ibid, page 56.