Hebrews 12:18-29 (NRSV)
Read Hebrews 12:18-29 on biblegateway.com
Verse 18You have not come to something that can be touched, a blazing fire, and darkness, and gloom, and a tempest, Verse 19and the sound of a trumpet, and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that not another word be spoken to them. Verse 20(For they could not endure the order that was given, "If even an animal touches the mountain, it shall be stoned to death." Verse 21Indeed, so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, "I tremble with fear.") Verse 22But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, Verse 23and 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, Verse 24and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. Verse 25See that you do not refuse the one who is speaking; for if they did not escape when they refused the one who warned them on earth, how much less will we escape if we reject the one who warns from heaven! Verse 26At that time his voice shook the earth; but now he has promised, "Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heaven." Verse 27This phrase, "Yet once more," indicates the removal of what is shaken-that is, created things-so that what cannot be shaken may remain. Verse 28Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us give thanks, by which we offer to God an acceptable worship with reverence and awe; Verse 29for indeed our God is a consuming fire.
Devotion
Not many of us can trace our lineage to ancestors who were at Mt. Sinai with Moses. But our author is not speaking of some promises to the signers of The Declaration of Independence either. He is writing of something already reserved for us through Christ which only our departed loved-ones have yet seen.
It also includes dimensions of life here and now which the faithful already experience. We find it in the worship service when the choir raises the hair on our necks. We receive it when the absolution is pronounced: you are forgiven for God’s lamb, Jesus, bore your sins on the cross.
Yes, the angels are rejoicing with us, for the heavenly world and ours are connected. You are still walking the streets of your neighborhood. But, be assured, your name is already written in the Book of Life in the heavenly world.
Prayer
Lord, Sinai must have been an awesome place. We still hear your voice in reverberations from there. What a comfort to also be told that we too are counted your people. Amen.