Jesus, better than Mt. Sinai

I recall the days when it was impermissible to walk across the pulpit in the church at any time much less to have a choir director to stand on the pulpit for ease of view from choir members. There seemed to be more reverence, respect, and sacredness for God and His House of Worship. However, many would say, that the pulpit is simply a platform on which others will stand to speak God’s word and to say that someone other than the preacher cannot stand there is legalistic and ritualistic at best especially if someone is standing there to do God’s bidding in whatever modus operandi.

Regardless of the rationale or the opinion of man, there was a time when many feared God and worshipped Him in holiness and in truth. They knew His Word and respected Him to be “an all consuming fire.” (Hebrews 12:29)

The children of Israel, dared not go to Mt. Sinai because of the warnings given to them by Yahweh God through Moses. (Exodus 19:20-25) In fact, God gave Moses a similar warning in when he commanded him, “Do not draw near this place. Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground.” (Exod. 3:5)

In todays lesson, we are looking at Hebrews 12:18-24….18 For you have not come to the mountain that may be touched and that burned with fire, and to blackness and darkness and tempest,   19 and the sound of a trumpet and the voice of words, so that those who heard it begged that the word should not be spoken to them anymore.   20 (For they could not endure what was commanded: “And if so much as a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned or shot with an arrow.”   21 And so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, “I am exceedingly afraid and trembling.”)   22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels,   23 to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect,   24 to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel.

In a nutshell, this passage of scripture is encouraging us that although the Israelites could not so much as come near Mt. Sinai, Jesus our Mt. Zion, the heavenly church here on earth, has stepped in to make it permissible for us to come and worship freely in Spirit and in Truth.

While we still should hold to a posture of reverence and fear to an Almighty God, we can assemble together in unity in the church whether sinner or sinless through the sprinkling of the blood of Jesus. The Bible says Jesus came to seek and to save those that are lost. (Luke 19:10) The Bible says… “Everyone who thirsts, Come to the waters; And you who have no money, Come, buy and eat.” (Isaiah 55:1). In other words, come and receive a refreshing from the Holy Spirit and eat of the bread of Life which is Jesus and His Word. Jesus is welcoming you to come.

A verse from a hymn entitled: “Hold To God’s Unchanging Hand” bids us… come to the fountain, so rich and sweet, cast thy poor soul at the Savior’s feet. Come in today and be made complete, Glory to His name. Oh, How Glorious is our Lord and Savior.

Surely, Jesus is better than Mt. Sinai.

As the glory of the Lord surrounded Mt. Sinai, the glory also surrounds Mt. Zion, our King of Kings and Lord of Lords. While Mt. Sinai was untouchable by man or beast, Jesus, our Mt. Zion, is touchable. Jesus said to the doubting Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” (John 20).

Mt. Sinai may have been dark and dreadful, but Jesus our Mt. Zion is the light of the World. (John 8:12). Where Moses was the Mediator under the old covenant representing Mt. Sinai, Jesus is our Mediator, the perfect, sinless Lamb of God under the new covenant and representing Mt. Zion, the new church and worship center.

Yes, Jesus, our Mt. Zion (the Heavenly Jerusalem) our church of the first born (SON) is better in every way than Mt. Sinai.

Prayer: Jesus, I thank You for being our Mediator and for going to Almighty God on our behalf. I thank You that because of Your cleansing and sinless blood, You made it possible for us to come boldly to partake of God’s glory and His majesty. Jesus, thank You that you are touchable and we are accepted in You as our beloved, and that You love us enough that we can sit at Your feet and be blessed. Show us more of Your Glory, Lord, in Your matchless and Holy name, Amen.

If you do not know Jesus as your Savior, and you want to accept Him now, you can click on the link under PRAYER, and pray the prayer of Salvation.