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In the ancient world, when...

Illustration
Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - B
Hebrews 4:12-16
In the ancient world, when an animal was to be sacrificed in worship, the throat would be exposed to the knife of the priest. In the Coliseum, when a gladiator was vanquished, his jugular would be exposed to the sword of the victor. The term "laid bare" carries this sense. When we are "laid bare to the eyes of him with whom we have to do," we are exposed to God, vulnerable before the sword of his judgment. We deserve to be sacrificed to pay the price for sin, which is death. All our attempts to stand before God in our own strength are vanquished when our thoughts and intentions are exposed.
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Creation, human society, the Sovereign and those in authority

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Lord, in your mercy
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