A Tale of Two Covenants Background Passage Hebrews, Chapter12:18-24 Lesson for November 22-23, 2014 Dr. James Patterson ICEBREAKER Sign in front of a Church: Dust on the Bible could lead to dirt in your life. INTRODUCTION After a lifetime of living in Albania, Nicola immigrated to the United States in the early 1900 s. Although lacking experience with physical comforts and civil freedoms, it did not take him long to appreciate the rights to free speech and press; the opportunities for economic advancement; the democratic system of voting; and an unfettered pursuit of happiness. He felt secure and safe in his new country. This was wonderfully refreshing to him. A friend asked him if he ever considered returning to Albania. Nicola replied, I have a lifetime of memories from my first country--including family, friends, a familiar language, and cherished traditions. However, the government was so strict I could have been imprisoned for the slightest offense. I was neither free, nor secure. I had no access to the leaders who controlled my life. There was no one to serve as my advocate. Certainly there are challenges everywhere, but why would I ever want to leave my new situation for the old? Similarly, in New Testament times, there were Jewish Christians in Italy who were facing several obstacles resulting from their conversion and were thus considering a return to their Jewish Spiritual roots. Judaism was comfortably familiar to them, as well as being a religion safe from Roman persecution. It was quite tempting for these believers to leave the Christian community and return to the synagogue. Thus, it was a critical time at this particular church. The congregation needed uplifting. In such a climate, the author of Hebrews emphasized the superiority Jesus Christ and the New Covenant (symbolized by Mount Zion) to the Law and the Old Covenant, as symbolized by Mount Sinai. The author
challenged the advisability of leaving the abundant life and returning to an inferior spiritual station. This will be the key issue in today s lesson. BIBLICAL CONTEXT The Book of Hebrews: A Brief History Hebrews is an important book, but it is not used as much as many of the other epistles. Some people feel it is too difficult to understand. Others wrongly think it is a book from the Old Testament because of its title. But it is a great source of Biblical wisdom, considered by many to be second only to Romans in doctrinal detail. Author: The Book of Hebrews was probably not written by Paul. The letter doesn t begin with the same greeting as Paul s other letters; nor does it include a Paul-type thanksgiving. There is also a different quality of Greek language used from his known epistles, among other stylistic differences. Date: The author does not mention the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple in 70 A.D. He does mention that Jewish sacrifices were still going on at the Temple. Therefore, it was most likely written in the 60 s, but certainly no earlier than 49 A.D. Earlier lessons in Hebrews clarified: Although God spoke through the prophets in earlier times, He now speaks through Jesus Christ (Hebrews 1:2). Christ is greater than the angels and is over all things (Hebrews 1:4-6). We must pay more careful attention to what we have heard. Then we will not drift away from it (the faith), as mankind has a tendency to do (Hebrews 2:1-3). Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. (Hebrews 4:16)
LESSON PASSAGE 1 Hebrews 12:18-21 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. Verse 18 In calling for his readers to live holy lives as Christians, the writer recalled the sights and sounds of the Old Covenant s launch. These verses summarize the story of God s giving the law at Mount Sinai (Exod. 19:10-25). God s awesome presence on the mountain was attested by a chilling darkness, lightning, thick smoke, blazing fire, and the deafening, continuous blare of a trumpet-type sound. Additionally, even though the Israelites could hear the sound of God s voice, they could not approach the mountain to get close to Him. The mountain had been declared off-limits, with God commanding them to keep their distance. If they disobeyed and tried to make their way up the mountain with Moses, they were to be stoned. You may wonder, Why did God reveal Himself in such a terrifying manner? Even Moses, who had seen God in the burning bush and had performed God s miracles before Pharaoh, was full of fear and trembling while in the presence of the Lord. The answer to that question depends on the answer to another question: Why did God give the law in the first place? Paul answers that question in Galatians 3:19 ff. He says (Gal. 3:22) that the law was given to shut up everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. He goes on to explain (Gal. 3:24), Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith. By nature, we re all blind to the extent of our sin before a holy God. We compare ourselves with terrorists and child molesters and think, Sure, I ve got my faults, but I m not as bad as them!
We know that God is holy, but we don t grasp what that means. Eventually, the law comes in and shows us God s absolute holiness. With Isaiah (6:5), we say, Woe is me, for I am ruined! Because I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts. Isaiah didn t know that he had a dirty mouth before he saw God in His holiness. But the instant he saw God s holiness, he was aware of his own sinfulness. The route to Zion goes through Sinai, where we encounter the terrors of God s law. His law should teach us two things: A. God s law should instill a fear within us of His holiness and judgment. The scene at Mount Sinai was that of a severe thunderstorm, but it was far more than that. In addition to the darkness, gloom, wind, and flashes of lightning, there was the blast of a trumpet, which was probably a supernatural sound from heaven. The earth quaked violently (Exod. 19:18). Whether the people could understand the exact words of God s voice from Heaven or not, no one knows. But it was such a terrible sound that they begged that no further word be spoken to them (Heb. 12:19). We cannot seriously aspire to God before we begin to become displeased with ourselves. The only way we get a clear knowledge of ourselves is to look upon God s face. His holiness reveals our pride, self-righteousness, hypocrisy, and sin. Until we have some understanding of God as revealed in Scripture, we flatter ourselves and think that we re not all that bad. Calvin gives many Biblical examples (1:1:3) of men who normally were firm and constant, but when they got a glimpse of God s majesty and glory, they were overwhelmed by it and almost annihilated. John Newton expressed the same idea in his well-known hymn, Amazing Grace : Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved. Charles Spurgeon went through the same experience. In his autobiography, he spends a chapter describing how the terrors of God s law tormented him before he came to saving faith in Christ. But the more we come to understand the holiness of God, the more we recognize the sinfulness of our own hearts. That drives us to the cross as our only refuge. And while the cross removes the dread of judgment, it should never remove our sense of reverence in the presence of the holy God. B. God s law should instill in us the need for His mediator. At Mount Sinai, Moses and Aaron were the only ones allowed to go up the mountain into God s presence. But the people could not draw near to God through Moses or Aaron. They were men with sin of their own. However,
Jesus Christ is our sinless high priest, who offered Himself as our sacrifice (Heb. 7:26-27). As Paul wrote (1 Tim. 2:5), For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. The author s point is that while the law reveals God s holiness and convicts us as deserving of His judgment, Jesus is God s mediator who paid the penalty for all that believe in Him. So, the route to Zion goes through Sinai, where we encounter the terrors of God s law. But once you ve arrived in Zion, why would you want to go back to Sinai? After describing the place we have left, the author goes on to show the place where we ve now arrived. LESSON PASSAGE 2 Hebrews 12:22-24 22 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. Verse 22 Having reviewed the happenings at Mount Sinai, the writer next turned his attention to a second mountain, Mount Zion. He showed his readers the contrast between the Old Covenant and the New Covenant. Whereas the Covenant on Mount Sinai was established within an atmosphere of fear and trembling, the New Covenant was marked by fellowship and joy. Essentially, if you have trusted in Christ, you have come to the joys of the New Covenant in Jesus blood (12:22-24). The author lists seven joys for New Covenant believers in Christ: 1. You have come to the joy of inclusion in the city of the living God. Mount Zion was the name for the stronghold that David conquered and made the religious and political capital of the Jewish people (2 Sam. 5:6-8). It became a synonym for Jerusalem (Ps. 147:12; Amos 1:2; Micah 4:2) and represents the place where God dwells with His people. Hebrews mentions the city of Jerusalem more than any other New Testament book. This is the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God (11:10). Mount Zion occupied an important place in the hearts of the
people of Israel, and readers with a Jewish background would have been well aware of the connection between Mount Zion and the New Covenant. This is the holy city that John saw, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband (Rev. 21:2). He goes on to say that it represents God dwelling among His people, and promises that when the city does come down (from Heaven), God will wipe away every tear, and there will no longer be any death, mourning, crying, or pain (Rev. 21:4). The fulfillment of these promises awaits the second coming of Jesus. The author makes the point that only those who had come to God through Jesus blood would be ushered into this new community a community not based on the law but on the incomparable, transforming grace of the Living God. Verse 23 2. You have come to the joy of myriads of angels in festal assembly. The Greek word for assembly was used to denote a festival or celebration. It points to the angels joyously worshiping God. Believers will join the angelic chorus of praise and will continue this joint worship with the angels long into the future, as John saw in Rev. 5:11-12 Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne and the living creatures and the elders; and the number of them was myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing. 3. You have come to the joy of the church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven. The word, firstborn, as used here (a plural) refers to the community of believers. This term emphasizes our rights of inheritance as God s children. No matter how far removed in years we are from the first-century church, as believers we are all God s firstborn children in Christ. As F. F. Bruce puts it (Commentary on the Epistle to the Hebrews [Eerdmans], p. 377), All the people of Christ are the firstborn children of God, through their union with Him who is the Firstborn par excellence; their birthright is not to be bartered away, as was Esau s. Our names are permanently registered in Heaven, and we are heirs of all spiritual blessings in Christ.
4. You have come to the joy of a Judge, who is God of all. The author also invites us to cast our gaze on the Heavenly Father. He occupies center stage as He takes His rightful place on the throne as the final Judge who will hold all people everywhere accountable to Him. People who have rejected His gift of salvation will be condemned by their unbelief. One may wonder, How is it a joy to come before an all-powerful Judge who knows your every thought and motive? There are three answers to that question. First, the author was writing to a persecuted church. They could look forward to the fact that one day God will judge all their enemies who have not repented. When God judges wicked Babylon, the saints are encouraged, Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you saints and apostles and prophets, because God has pronounced judgment for you against her (Rev. 18:20). Second, we can rejoice that God will reward everything that we have done for the name of Christ. Even a cup of cold water given in His name will be rewarded (Matt. 10:42). And so, Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary (Gal. 6:9). Third, we can rejoice that we have come to the Judge, who is God of all, because living with that awareness will cure us of the sin that damages us and others. Who would commit a crime while standing before the judge in court? While God will not revoke our salvation because of our sin, He will discipline us severely (Heb. 12:4-11). At His judgment seat, all our wood, hay, and straw will be burned. We will be saved, yet so as through fire (1 Cor. 3:15). We can rejoice to serve such a Judge, who disciplines us for our good! 5. You have come to the joy of the spirits of the righteous made perfect. This refers to all of the saints who have died and gone to heaven. They have not yet received their new resurrection bodies, which await the second coming of Christ, but their spirits are made perfect. They are absent from the body, but present with the Lord. For them, all temptation and sin is over. They are completely righteous in Christ, and will be throughout all eternity. Although we are still in the body, fighting against sin, we are one with these saints, and one day soon we will be with them in heaven. Verse 24 6. You have come to the joy of Jesus, the mediator of a New Covenant.
The Son of God gave His life for us on the cross. With His death, Jesus is the only one who can mediate between the Holy Father and a sinful mankind. Note one other nuance here. In Greek, there are two words for new. One means new in quality; the other means recent. This is the word meaning recent, and it s the only time that this word is connected with the New Covenant. Perhaps the Hebrews, as with most of us, were resistant to anything new. Change is difficult. You can almost hear some of the old guard saying, Why do we need this new covenant? The old one is good enough for us! But the author is saying that the new is better (8:6). The old is obsolete. 7. You have come to the joy of the sprinkled blood, which speaks better than the blood of Abel. Some understand this to refer to Abel s sacrifice, but in Genesis 4:10, God tells Cain that Abel s blood is crying to Me from the ground. Whereas Abel s blood cried out for vengeance and justice, Jesus blood, sprinkled on the believer, speaks God s word of forgiveness and mercy to the guilty sinner. This is the last of 12 uses of the word better in Hebrews. Jesus blood is better than our blood, which God demands as the penalty for our sin. It is better than the blood of bulls and goats, which never could atone for sin (Heb. 10:4). If by faith, you are sprinkled with His blood, you have the joy of knowing that God has forgiven all your sins! LIFE APPLICATION: So the question is, Where are we living? Are we living on Mount Sinai, trying to earn acceptance with a holy God by keeping His law? If so, we should be in terror, because it is impossible to meet the demands of His holiness. If we have trusted Christ and accepted His sacrificial atonement, we are living on Mount Zion. We must stay focused on what Christ has done for us. In a similar context where Paul is warning about the dangers of legalism, he wrote, Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God (Col. 3:1). That s where all of our treasures lie. Keep seeking implies a lifelong quest. If you lose sight of the benefits of Zion, you may be tempted, like Esau, to trade your treasures in Christ for the world s empty pleasures.
If we are at Mount Sinai, we are in grave danger before the holy God, because we re exposed to His judgment. But if we are on Mount Zion, we are secure because the blood of Jesus has covered our sins. We can revel in God s holy presence without fear of His judgment! Matthew 14:45-46 tells us: Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it. The valuable pearl is the "deal of a lifetime" for the merchant in the story who believes enough in the Kingdom of Heaven to stake his whole future on it. Those unwilling to buy the pearl, or commit their entire being to Jesus Christ are unworthy of the kingdom. CLOSING PRAYER: Heavenly Father, Please remove the blinders from our eyes, so that we can see the full magnificence of salvation through Jesus Christ. Help us to live the New Covenant life to the fullest, empowered by the Holy Spirit to do things for the Kingdom that are well beyond our mortal abilities. In Christ s name we pray. Amen.