Christ Speaks a Better Word

I have been reading through the book of Hebrews: a rich study if ever there was one. I cannot help but marvel in the goodness of God in sending Jesus Christ to us and giving us these New Covenant blessings we now enjoy through His mediation. Here are some brief thoughts on Hebrews 12:18-24, a beautiful portion:

18 You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm; 19 to a trumpet blast or to such a voice speaking words that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them, 20 because they could not bear what was commanded: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death.” 21 The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, “I am trembling with fear.”

But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, 23 to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24 to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.

Here the giving of the old covenant is contrasted with the new. Fear predominates the first, as the people cry out their trembling mediator: “Speak to us yourself and we will listen. But do not have God speak to us or we will die”(Ex 20:19). Sinai is cloaked with fire, gloom, and storm; threatening death to whoever comes too close.

We however come to a different mountain: a place prepared for us and engraved with our names. We come along side angels, with joy; made perfect through our Mediator. He did not come in terror but was clothed in humility and meekness. “He shall not strive nor cry, neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets.” Richard Sibbes says the following in His short work A Description of Christ:

You know when the law was given all the mount was on fire, and the earth thereabout quaked and trembled, and the people fled. They could not endure to hear the voice of God speaking in the mount; there was such a terrible smoke and fire, they were all afraid. Thus came Moses. Now, did Christ come as Moses? Was the gospel delivered by Christ as the law was, in terrors and fears? Oh, no. Christ came not in such a terrible manner, in thunder and lightning; but the gospel, it came sweetly.

Moses came in terrors. Christ came sweetly, bringing with him a better word. Instead of coming in a position worthy of his station, God the eternal Son came in condescension. Instead of dolling out the justice we deserved for our sins against Him, He came in gentleness for the poor, the sick, the weak and the needy: all those heavily laden under the yoke of the law. He invites all to come and reiterates that all who come to Him He will nowise cast out. Where demands were made under the burden of the law, and those demands rightful, in Him they all are paid in full.

And where the law was unable to save, Christ saves completely all who come to Him (Heb 7:25).

Where sacrifices were offered, in what had to be a gruesome repetitious display; Christ is offered once for all (Heb 9:14).

Where the law is external, now the law is written on the hearts of God’s people (Heb 9:16), enabling them to walk in obedience to His commands.

Where the priest would minister in an earthly tent, now our High Priest ministers at the right hand of the Father.

Where the blood of Abel cries out for vengeance, Christ’s blood covers the sinner’s stains.

What could improve the lot of those who under the care of Jesus? What possible thing could be lacking in Christ’s mercy? Here is covering for every failing. Here is forgiveness for every sin. Here is future certainty in the midst of uncertain times.

Perhaps much of our modern dissatisfaction and discontentment, our yearning for better things or better times, is rooted in a misunderstanding or a simple forgetfulness of the riches we have in Jesus Christ. If we truly have so great a portion, if we really have experienced such a cleansing and await such an inheritance—why the carnal distractions? Why the fixation on earth? Why the fretting and the hopelessness regarding our temporal states? No doubt our earthly frame disposes us to think on these lower things, but we need to learn to elevate our eyes.

Hebrews 12 ends with a logical application to the immensity we have been given: Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our “God is a consuming fire.” How do we respond to so great a High Priest? With thankfulness and acceptable worship. With reverence and awe. No matter what realities we face here, these unshakeable truths remain for us. Let us therefore respond accordingly.