Hebrews 12:22-24

Summary retelling of Hebrews 12:22-24

To continue the comparison from yesterday, today we are told that we have come to Mt. Zion.  It is the city of the living God, the heavenly city of Jerusalem.  Within it is an innumerable heavenly host and the whole collection of those who are born in Christ – all of which who are gathered for festiveness.  Also there is God, who is the judge of everyone and every spirit who is righteous and made perfect.  Also present is Jesus, who mediates our relationship with God through the New Covenant in the blood that He shed for us.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Yesterday we talked about the terror found when the people came to Mt. Sinai and they received the Law.  However, today we talk about coming to the heavenly city of God: Mt. Zion.  The terror of the Law is not present.  The fear of our disobedience is simply not needed.  Instead we can come to God in celebration of His victory over our sin.  Our relationship with God may begin in awesome fear as we discussed yesterday; but it ultimately ends in joyful celebration.

Which do you prefer, awesome fear or joyful celebration?  Why?

Second Thought:

Contained within the city of God will be the whole of God’s heavenly host and all those who are made righteous through Christ.  What an incredible gathering it will be.  Imagine being in the same place as the archangels Gabriel and Michael.  Imagine being in the same place as Mary, the mother of Jesus, and His brothers and sisters.  Imagine being able to stand shoulder-to-shoulder beside the Apostle Paul and Father Abraham.  Imagine how cool it will be to reach the final goal and faithfully complete the race that God has asked us to run.

How cool is it to think about our eternal home and all the people who will be present?  Why is this an important concept to which we should hang on?

Third Thought:

Even more importantly, though, God will be there.  The Creator of the universe will be present.  The Son of God, our Redeemer through His shed blood, will be there.  The Spirit of the living God will also be there.  It is incredible to think about being in the actual presence of the living God. 

As neat as it may be to stand beside people like Martin Luther and Dietrich Bonhoeffer, how cool will it be to bow before the living God?  Why do you feel this way?

Passage for Tomorrow: Hebrews 12:25-29