The Word’s power
Finish this verse: “In the beginning was _______ _______” (John 1:1).
As you read through the first five verses of the Gospel of John, you quickly realize how incredible The Word truly is. The Word was there in the beginning. He was with God. He was God. Everything was made through Him, and in Him was life and light. The darkness has never—and will never—overcome Him (John 1:1-5). That’s powerful, right?
But it doesn’t stop there. Just a few verses later, we discover that this “Word” became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14). And that Word we’ve come to know is Jesus the Christ.
Today, I want to take you deeper into how amazing and powerful this Word really is. Take a moment to read Hebrews 4:11-13:
11 Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience. 12 For the Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
The writer of Hebrews is concluding his commentary on Psalm 95:7-11, a passage he’s been unpacking since Hebrews 3:7. His main message? While it’s still “today,” hear God’s voice and do not harden your heart. The Israelites failed to do this while wandering in the wilderness, and because of their disobedience, they didn’t enter into God’s promised rest. That’s why these early Christians were being urged to strive to enter that rest—they didn’t want to make the same mistake.
Starting in verse 12, we’re reminded of the power of the Word—the One who will judge us. The Word of God is living, active, and sharper than any two-edged sword. It’s not just words on a page—it penetrates to the very core of who we are, dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It discerns what’s really going on in our hearts. There’s no hiding from it. Everything about us is exposed before the One to whom we will give account.
This was a sobering warning for those early Christians: their hearts and intentions would one day be judged by the Word of God. That’s why the writer urges them to stay focused and strive to enter that rest.
But what about you? What about me?
To enter His rest, we must listen to the Word of God and obey it. He is the One who sees into our hearts, and He will be our judge.
So, today, I want to encourage you to take a moment and look within. Are you living in obedience to Jesus, the Word who became flesh? Or is there an area where you need to make a change? While it’s still “today,” take that step of faith and make the change. There’s no better time than now.
— Matt Jones