Mountains

Hebrews 12-Part 5                 
For ye have not come unto the mount that might be touched...
but ye are come unto  mount Zion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels...
Hebrews 12:18a, 22

LET IT GLOW

One summer our family drove out to Glorietta, a family camp near Sante Fe, New Mexico. It was such a beautiful place, up in the pine mountains. We took some time away from meetings, just the four of us, and visited some Indian ruins. It was located on the mountain peaks, where one could see forever, mountains upon mountains in every direction. The wind blew strongly up there that day. I recall it because there was an eagle soaring in the wind, high above everything. As I stood taking in the scenery, I felt Jesus there, showing me that I could soar with Him above any problem that the wind blows my way. Eventually, we left, and came down from the mountains, but the image is still there in my mind. When I need refreshing, I can go there.
Like the song that Cynthia Clawson used to sing, "You've got to come down from the mountain top, to the people in the valley below, or they'll never know that they can go to the mountain of the Lord."

Our key verses mention two mountains,  Mt. Sinai in the wilderness and Mt. Zion where the city of Jerusalem is located. The reference is Exodus 19:10-25. God gave instructions for the Israelites to prepare for the third day, when they would meet the Living Lord.

How were they to prepare?
*Sanctify themselves.
*Wash their clothes.
*Abstain from sexual relations.
Do I prepare daily  to meet with the Lord in His sanctuary? Am I prepared to meet the Lord face to face in eternity?
David Guzik contrasted Mt. Sinai and Mt. Zion.
 Mt. Sinai:

• marked by fear and terror,
• spoke of earthly things,
• only Moses was allowed to draw near,
• characterized by guilty men in fear,
• Moses was the mediator,
• brings the Old covenant, reatified by animals' blood,
• was about the Law.

Mt. Zion:

• was a place of love and forgiveness,
• speaks of heavenly things,
• was where a general assembly was invited to draw near,
• features just men made perfect,
• has Jesus as the Mediator and Judge of all,
• brings a New covenant, ratified by the blood of God's precious Son,
• is all about grace.

Did the fear of the people promote holiness anmong the people of Israel? Forty days later they worshipped a golden calf, so their hearts were not changed. Only Jesus can change a heart.

LET IT GROW

To what have we come?  Verse 22 answers that question.
By having salvation and faith in Jesus Christ, upon death, we will come to:

• the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God,
• countless thousands of angels in a joyful gathering around the throne of God,
• God, who is the judge of all people,
• an assembly of God's firstborn children, whose names are written in heaaven,
• Jesus, the one who mediates the New Covenant between God and people,
• the sprinkled blood of Jesus. which speaks forgiveness. (New Living Translation)

Abel's sacrifice was pleasing to God because it was offered in faith and obedience, but it had no atoning power. Jesus' blood alone was sufficient to cleanse sin (1John 1:7).  The sacrifice of Christ brought redemption, forgiveness, and compleete salvation, better than that of Abel. The blood of Abel's sacrifice only provided a temporary covering, but Christ's blood sacrifice decclares eternal forgiveness (Col. 1:20). (MacArthur)

Oh the blood of Jesus, it washes us whiter than snow. Thank You Lord Jesus that You became my blood sacrifice, took my place in paying for my sins. I am forever in debt to You.


LET IT GO

Meditate upon what Jesus has done for me.

Have a thankful heart.

Share with others.