NOT MOUNT SINAI. Hebrews 12:18-21 God was so unapproachable in His holiness that the Israelites were afraid to hear His voice or come near the mountain where He was. If they or their animals touched the mountain, they would die. Even Moses, the mediator of the Old Covenant, was afraid in the presence of God. Such is the holiness of God that when He made His presence known on Mt. Sinai, the people were terrified.
In contrast, Jesus came! He is the Mediator of the new covenant. Now, instead of fear, there is joy when we approach God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Instead of distance, we are bidden to draw near in full assurance of faith. Instead of fear of death, God has given us eternal life, welcomes us into His presence, and enables us to say, “Abba Father,” because we have been made children of God through faith in Jesus Christ. We have received “the adoption of sons” and approach Him in our Savior’s precious name. God brings us to Himself through the bands of love, through which the wonders of salvation in Christ have been offered to all people.
The person of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the blessings present and future He brings, make any persecution and trials of faith worth enduring for His sake. Those who know Him love Him. Moses, the mediator of the old covenant, said when God spoke, “I exceedingly fear and quake!” He was the temporary mediator of a temporary covenant. In love, God has provided a Mediator for us who is eternal, infinite in every way, and perfect in Holiness. We are accepted by God through Him, our Lord Jesus Christ.
A lesson from Mt. Zion is that the authority of divine majesty is so great, the holiness of divine strength is so perfect, and the power of divine strength is so infinite that all other powers in heaven and earth quake when God speaks. His presence is so commanding that even animals who go near where He is must die. The law and covenant cannot provide the fitness we need to be accepted by God.
However, God is a God of great grace, greater than all our sin. His grace not only met all the claims of His holy, perfect law but is also given freely to those who put their faith in Him. The Holy Spirit, in grace, guides us, teaches us, and leads us to Mt. Zion, where Christ, our Great High Priest, Advocate, and Mediator, is our life! What relief; what joy!