Wednesday
Read Hebrews 12:18-29
18 You have not come, as the people
of Israel came, to what you can feel, to Mount Sinai with its blazing fire, the
darkness and the gloom, the storm, 19the blast of a trumpet, and the
sound of a voice. When the people heard the voice, they begged not to hear
another word, 20because they could not bear the order which said,
“If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death.” 21The
sight was so terrifying that Moses said, “I am trembling and afraid!”
22 Instead, you have come to Mount
Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, with its
thousands of angels. 23You have come to the joyful gathering of
God’s firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, who
is the judge of all people, and to the spirits of good people made perfect. 24You
have come to Jesus, who arranged the new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood
that promises much better things than does the blood of Abel. 25Be
careful, then, and do not refuse to hear him who speaks. Those who refused to
hear the one who gave the divine message on earth did not escape. How much less
shall we escape, then, if we turn away from the one who speaks from heaven! 26His
voice shook the earth at that time, but now he has promised, “I will once more
shake not only the earth but heaven as well.” 27The words “once
more” plainly show that the created things will be shaken and removed, so that
the things that cannot be shaken will remain.
28 Let us be thankful, then, because
we receive a kingdom that cannot be shaken. Let us be grateful and worship God
in a way that will please him, with reverence and awe; 29because our
God is indeed a destroying fire.
Think
This passage compares the ways in which the Old and the New Covenants are
given. When Moses received the law it
was a terrifying and dangerous spectacle.
The New Covenant is described a little differently:
"You have come to the joyful gathering of God's firstborn..."
(Hebrews 12:23)
We are invited to take this call seriously: "Be careful, then, and do
not refuse to hear him who speaks..." (Verse 25)
Pray
Lord you come to us in peace and joy.
Help us to accept your gift with all of our hearts.
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