How many of us are glad that there are things about us that no one knows? I wonder what would happen if I was to announce on a Sunday morning in church that the following week every person present will have something about them revealed on the projector that until that point no one else knew. I guess some people may be torn between turning up to see everyone else's stuff revealed and not turning up so as to keep their own secrets - but I'm guessing the church would be a fairly empty place - at least it would give an indication as to who wasn't listening the previous week!
But Hebrews 4:13 tells us that God knows everything about us - nothing at all is hidden. And 4:16 tells us that we can come with confidence into the presence of God. How is that possible? If God knows exactly what I'm like and what I've done and what goes on inside my head, how is it that I can come to God with confidence - especially when we think that the first readers of Hebrews had grown up with the tradition that only the high priest could enter the presence of God - the Holy of Holies - and then only on one day a year, the Day of Atonement - and then only after having made a sacrifice for his own sins.
It's possible because between verses 13 and 16 we read about Jesus and in verse 16 we read about God's mercy and grace. It's possible, not because of what I can do, but because of what Jesus has already done, on the cross.
So rather than sweep our rubbish under the carpet and hope no one finds it there, let's believe that God has dealt with our past failings and step into the present with confidence.
To listen to this message click here.
