PRIVILEGES AND CHALLENGES. Hebrews 12:18-24 The contrast between law and grace is addressed. The writer sought to help the Hebrew believers by pointing out the superiority of Christ over Aaron, Moses, Joshua, and even the angels. His sacrifice is superior to animal sacrifices. People cannot mix the old and new covenants. God does not give people an alternative. He loves us and wants us to believe in and love Him.
To help us and them understand, he contrasts the covenant made with Moses on Mt. Sinai with the new covenant that includes us in Mt. Zion, the heavenly Jerusalem. This covenant was made through the blood of Jesus. We celebrate this when we worship our Lord Jesus Christ, the Holy One, who is the Mediator of this new covenant. This “mountain” is a spiritual place far higher and greater than Mt. Sinai, and it is perfect in its holiness. Angels, believers in Christ, and those made righteous by God’s grace through the sacrifice of Christ have “come to Mt. Zion.”
The contrast between the mountain of fear and the mountain of joy recalls an awesome occasion when God made possible the reconciliation that faith in Him brings. The new covenant allows us to come into God’s presence. Instead of the Israelites' terrified approach to God at Mt. Sinai, we can come before God with joy and singing! We are welcomed by God through Christ when we accept His invitation to salvation by grace through faith in Him. This is our glorious and eternal goal. “Here we rest in wonder viewing, all our sins on Jesus laid. And a full redemption flowing from the sacrifice He made.”
Mt. Zion is God’s habitation, not Mt. Sinai. The law was temporary; the Gospel is eternal. Mt. Sinai had to do with man’s responsibility; Mt. Zion with the election by grace. One brought fear and terror; the other, joy and peace. Our effectiveness as Christians depends on our right understanding of the difference between the spirit of bondage and fear and the boldness and liberty of the new covenant.
There are eight things we “are not come to.” This should keep us from faltering like those Hebrew believers. We need to avoid being sidetracked by our weaknesses and failures and to be challenged to walk by faith, not by sight. Believers are not brought to blackness, darkness, and tempest, which was the mission of the law – to convince us of sin. It was sent to show us the need for life, not to give it [Rom.7:13; Gal. 3:21]. We have been brought to the place where grace reigns without being mixed with the law or any human religion. Here we can bow in heartfelt gratitude and give that to our Gracious God without fear of rejection.