Which Mountain Are We On?
Last Tuesday we took the Jasper Tramway part-way up a mountain. What a beautiful sight... and what a challenging climb to the summit! While we were hiking up the rocky path, my son, Noah, and I realized that we didn't actually know that name of the mountain we were climbing. We later found out that it was called "Whistlers" and while that didn't make much difference to us, it got me thinking about two mountains in the Bible and how important it is to know for us as Christians to know what mountain we are on.
Wondering what I'm talking about? Please read Hebrews 12:18-29.
The two mountains are Sinai and Zion. The contrast is interesting. With Sinai, the people didn't want to hear the voice of God for "they could not bear what was commanded" (vs 20) and Moses is described as terrified and fearful (vs 21). With Zion, it is a "joyful assembly" with thousands of angels, the church, God, the Judge, and Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant (vs 22-24). Because of the new covenant, we are part of the joyful assembly - now on earth, eventually in heaven.
And to this group of people, the writer of Hebrews issues a charge: "See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks" (vs 25). Don't be like those who didn't want to hear God's commands from Sinai! Listen to God. The rest of the passage talks about the power of God's voice to shake that which is shakeable and how what we have is unshakeable. Our response? Thanksgiving and reverential worship. For on the joyful mountain, there is still holy fear - for "God is a consuming fire" (vs 29).
Wondering what I'm talking about? Please read Hebrews 12:18-29.
The two mountains are Sinai and Zion. The contrast is interesting. With Sinai, the people didn't want to hear the voice of God for "they could not bear what was commanded" (vs 20) and Moses is described as terrified and fearful (vs 21). With Zion, it is a "joyful assembly" with thousands of angels, the church, God, the Judge, and Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant (vs 22-24). Because of the new covenant, we are part of the joyful assembly - now on earth, eventually in heaven.
And to this group of people, the writer of Hebrews issues a charge: "See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks" (vs 25). Don't be like those who didn't want to hear God's commands from Sinai! Listen to God. The rest of the passage talks about the power of God's voice to shake that which is shakeable and how what we have is unshakeable. Our response? Thanksgiving and reverential worship. For on the joyful mountain, there is still holy fear - for "God is a consuming fire" (vs 29).
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