As our study in Hebrews 12 draws to a close we will finish up next Sunday. Remember we are talking about our Christian life, the book of Hebrews was written to the church to admonish and encourage the church. We have compared it to a race, a marathon, a long race that at times seems grueling and impossible. We have discussed several things that are obstacles for us in our race, and today we are looking at another obstacle. It is those who are not running the same race we are. The author knows his readers will encounter those who will tell them they are on the wrong path— they have strayed away from God, because they are following Christ. We must remember this was written to a specific group of people who would be facing persecution not only from the secular world but also from the Jewish community of which they would have been a part. Their own family and friends telling them they are on the wrong path, telling them to turn away from Zion and turn towards Sinai. The author uses contrast between the two to make his point. As we dive into the text we are going to look at it in two sections verses 18-21 and then 22-24, we will still go verses by verse through these groups.

Hebrews 12:18–21 ESV

18 For you have not come to what may be touched, a blazing fire and darkness and gloom and a tempest 19 and the sound of a trumpet and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that no further messages be spoken to them. 20 For they could not endure the order that was given, “If even a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned.” 21 Indeed, so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, “I tremble with fear.”

Hebrews 12:18 ESV

18 For you have not come to what may be touched, a blazing fire and darkness and gloom and a tempest

As we look at these verses we must remember the persecution the church was facing—pressure from the secular world to not follow Christ at all and then the pressure from their fellow Jews telling them to turn back to their ways and follow the Old covenant. In verses 18-21 we see what we are not moving towards— it shows the old way before Christ. Verses 22-24 show us our new path a path to Zion. Here the author describes the events that took place at Mt. Sinai at the giving of the law found in Exodus 19 and 20. (Look at Exodus 19:10-16 first). They were not allowed to touch the mountain or they faced death, even if an animal aimlessly wondered and touched the mountain it would be killed. They could not come into direct contact with the presence of God. They had no direct access. The author is reminding the church where they had come from. (Look at Exodus 19:16).

Hebrews 12:19 ESV

19 and the sound of a trumpet and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that no further messages be spoken to them.

The continued description of the giving of the law. They heard a loud trumpet sound, and it made the people very afraid. At the time of the giving of the law it is estimated that the Nation of Israel numbered roughly 2 million people. Can you imagine the sound it takes for all 2 million people to hear it at the same time. All of this was a display of God’s holiness and power. The voice—this part does not imply that they refused to hear God, but that they wanted Moses to mediate between them and God.

Hebrews 12:20 ESV

20 For they could not endure the order that was given, “If even a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned.”

Here again the author mentions that they could not even touch the mountain or they would be stoned, even the animals. The display of God’s power and holiness caused fear in the people and rightfully so. Can you imagine felling the ground shaking, seeing the smoke covering the mountain with flashes of lighting claps of thunder and a loud trumpet sound. To realize you are in the direct presence of God, who had brought them out of Egypt.

Hebrews 12:21 ESV

21 Indeed, so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, “I tremble with fear.”

Even Moses was afraid. Remember what is the fear of the Lord— it is the beginning of wisdom.

Hebrews 12:22 ESV

22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering,

Now the contrast, the author now gives the good news. We do not come to the same place, we are under a New Covenant. Our path is set towards Zion not Sinai. Towards God's heavenly Jerusalem. Where there is a festive gathering of angels. At Mt Sinai they blew celestial trumpets that caused God’s people to tremble and fear. But now at Mt. Zion they are joining in the festive gathering. A time of giving God glory for the salvation of others.

Hebrews 12:23 ESV

23 and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect,

Not only do we come to a gathering of angels, but also to those who have gone before us. The firstborn of the church, the saints cheering us on in our race, and now we see the same group welcoming us to the finish line. This along with the angels paints us a picture of what we would see at the finish line of a marathon, a group of people gathered waiting and watching for the runners to approach the finish line, to cheer and encourage them. But again what we see is far greater than anything of the here and now. Now it gets even better, we come to God—the judge of all. We come to a festive gathering, but there is a seriousness about it. Because we come to Zion to meet the God of Sinai. We come to God who sees to the depths of our souls. But we no longer come in fear. This is a miracle of God’s grace, that His Son bore our judgment on the cross so we can come into the presence of our Holy and Righteous Judge. The author again mentions those who have gone before us it shows a solidarity between the believers of the past and us. Because of Christ’s work we are made one with the patriarchs.

Hebrews 12:24 ESV

24 and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.

Lastly we come to Jesus the mediator of a New Covenant. Moses was the mediator at Sinai and although he was a great man he was only a man. Jesus the God man—the author and perfecter of our faith. Jesus is like us (human flesh) and He is for us—He paid the price for us. He now makes intercession for us He is the greater Moses. Abel’s blood cried out for judgement, but the blood of Christ says we are forgiven. The price has been paid—our slates have been whipped clean—forgiven. We can now stand before God with confidence—through our relationship with Christ we are made right. The perfect lamb was slaughtered for you and for me, so that we could come to Mt. Zion God’s heavenly Jerusalem.

The Great Race V