Dividing soul from spirit, joints from marrow

Photo courtesy of Mazgrp

In my reading last night several quotes and passages came together for me.  Passages related to swords.  First is Jesus talking to his disciples immediately before his arrest.

And he said to them, "When I sent you out with no moneybag or knapsack or sandals, did you lack anything?" They said, "Nothing."  He said to them, "But now let the one who has a moneybag take it, and likewise a knapsack. And let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one.  For I tell you that this Scripture must be fulfilled in me: 'And he was numbered with the transgressors.' For what is written about me has its fulfillment." And they said, "Look, Lord, here are two swords." And he said to them, "It is enough." (Luke 22:35-38)

Jesus is speaking literally here.  The sword, though it may be used in various metaphors, is at its most basic, a knife - a weapon.  And here, Jesus is telling his friends to arm themselves.  But Paul frequently uses the sword as a metaphor, as in my reading last night:

...and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God... (Ephesians 6;17)

That reminded me of another quote related to this spiritual sword that is the word of God:

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. (Hebrews 4:12)

The word is a sword that is so sharp that it can divide your spirit from your soul!  That's sharper than razor sharp!   another image that comes to me is that of tearing a turkey leg off of a roasted turkey - separating joints and marrow.  

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And following is a quote from St. Bernard, again talking about literal weapons, but easily applicable and practical with relation to the Sword of the Spirit that is the word of God:

…a warrior especially needs these three things--he must guard his person with strength, shrewdness and care; he must be free in his movements, and he must be quick to draw his sword. In Praise of the New Knighthood (Liber ad milites Templi: De laude novae militae) St. Bernard of Clairvaux

And one more sword quote from the ancient Shinkage sword manual, The Mind and the Sword, and an allusion to Lao Tzu.

Weapons are unfortunate instruments.  Heaven's Way abhors them. Using them when there is no other way - that is Heaven's Way.

It is unfortunate that we must have need of a sword so sharp and penetrating that it separates our sin nature from our soul, rending us, as Grendel was rent, when we try to hang onto our sin.  But Thank God that He cares enough about us to give us just such a weapon as the Bible.