The Beauty of Grace!

In the midst of the current pandemic, it is encouraging to be reminded of what is in store for those who have placed faith in Christ alone. Hebrews 12:18-24 is a wonderful place to find peace in any storm. This passage is a comparison of two places, Mount Sinai and Mount Zion. Mount Sinai represents the Old Covenant based on human works. Mount Zion represents the New Covenant based on the grace of God. Take a moment to read this amazing passage:

Hebrews 12:18-24, For you have not come to what may be touched, a blazing fire and darkness and gloom and a tempest and the sound of a trumpet and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that no further messages be spoken to them. For they could not endure the order that was given, “If even a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned.” Indeed, so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, “I tremble with fear.” But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, and 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, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.

Verses 18-21 reveal Sinai as a place of terror. The reality of God’s presence based on human effort is frightening. Donald Hagner, The manifestations of God’s presence on Sinai were tangible, that is, they could be experienced by the senses. The fire, darkness, gloom, and storm made a vivid impression on the Israelites. This experience may be read in more detail in Exodus and Deuteronomy. H. D. M. Spence, God was, indeed, revealed to man, but still as unseen and unapproachable, terrible in his wrath against sin, and surrounded by sounds and sights of fear. William L. Lane rightly declares, Sinai was not an occasion for revelation so much as for dread.

The encounter with God at Sinai revealed the absolute holiness of God. Donald Hagner, The awesome and absolute holiness of God's presence was unapproachable. Even an animal was to be stoned if it touched the mountain . . . At that moment, the nation of Israel sensed the utter separation of man from God. R. Kent Hughes, To understand that God is holy and that one is a sinner is to stand at the threshold of grace . . . the great problem with the trip to Sinai was that while men and women could come to see God's holiness and their sinfulness, the Law provided no power to overcome sin.

What is so encouraging about this text begins with a conjunction, but. What is on one side of but doesn’t compare with what’s on the other side. Verses 21-24 reveal Zion as a place of ultimate joy. It pictures the absolute grace of God. William L. Lane, The atmosphere at Mount Zion is festive. The frightening visual imagery of blazing fire, darkness, and gloom fades before the reality of the city of the living God, heavenly Jerusalem . . . An overwhelming impression of the unapproachability of God is eclipsed in the experience of full access to the presence of God and of Jesus, the mediator of the new covenant . . . Amazingly, the test pictures those who are in Christ are already citizens of the place to be described but currently ambassadors in a foreign land.

This passage reveals the residents of Zion which stands for heavenly Jerusalem. There are angels in a joyful assembly, William L. Lane, Heavenly Jerusalem is a place of blessing, where the redeemed can join with “angels and archangels, and with all the company of heaven” in celebratory worship of God. There are the redeemed whose names are written in the book of life, we who are alive and those who died and are even more alive. There is God, the Judge of all, R. Kent Hughes, . . . we come before him in awe because he is the Judge. But we do not come in craven dread, because his Son has borne the judgment for us. This is our highest delight—to gather before God! It is a miracle of grace. There are those who awaited Christ’s resurrection and join those who came to faith after that glorious fact that He is risen. Of course, there is Jesus. Raymond Brown, . . . through the ministry of Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, we draw near with confidence.

Christians don’t approach God with terror but with joy because of Jesus, our Redeemer and High Priest. William Barclay, Once, human beings were under the terror of the law; the relationship between them and God was one of unbridgeable distance and shuddering fear. But after Jesus came and lived and died, the God who was distant and unapproachable was brought near, and the way opened to his presence. Times may be tough but they are temporary our home in heavenly Jerusalem is forever.

Join the study of Hebrews under the Books of the Bible tab. Only a fool would try to approach God by his or her own merit. Don’t make the wrong turn to Sinai. Head straight for Zion.

Faith as a Race!

The transition from Hebrews chapter 11 to 12 is one of encouragement not discouragement. Chapter 11 was not written to compare heroes of the faith to those suffering Christians in Rome or to us. It is a declaration of the faithful work of God in the lives of all of His children. Raymond Brown, Ours is a strenuous race demanding steady perseverance. We must surely be encouraged by the fact that we are surrounded by former contestants who are witnesses to us of the faithfulness of God.

Verses 1-2 of Hebrews 12 call Christians to an enduring life of faith. Donald Hagner, They show that it is possible to live by faith. The verses are a transition from information to application. The testimonies of the heroes of the faith demanded appropriates responses of the readers in the 1st century, and today. Let’s consider what Christians need to do in the race of faith.

We must lay aside every weight. William Barclay, No one would attempt to climb Mount Everest weighed down with a whole load of unnecessary baggage. If we want to travel far, we must travel light. There is in life an essential duty to discard things. There may be habits, pleasures, self-indulgences or associations which hold us back. We must shed them as athletes take off their tracksuits when they go to the starting blocks; and often we will need the help of Christ to enable us to do so. The weight to be discarded is different for every Christian. It is the work of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God through prayer that unnecessary weights become obvious. Ray Stedman, Each runner must honestly judge what hinders faith for him or her and resolutely lay it aside, even though others seem to be unhindered by the same thing.

We must lay aside . . . sin which clings so closely. Consider Hebrews 3:13, But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. Ray Stedman, Do not take God’s Word lightly. Do not excuse any sin as all right for you, but forbidden to others. Do not feel you can evade God’s discipline or judgment. Don’t play games with sin because it will win.

We must run with endurance the race that is set before us. Hebrews 10:36, For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. The Christian life is not a sprint but a marathon. Make the commitment that a life in Christ is for the long-haul. Warren Wiersbe, One of the best ways to develop endurance and encouragement is to get to know the godly men and women of the Old Testament who ran the race and won. If you are having problems with your family, read about Joseph. If you think your job is too big for you, study the life of Moses. If you are tempted to retaliate, see how David handled this problem. Take to heart the words of Ray Stedman, The race, of course, is life itself . . . We are all here for a purpose, and that purpose is to live our lives in fulfillment of God’s intent for us.

The words of verse 2 transition from application back to observation. Our supreme example of faith is Jesus. We are to submit to Jesus because of Who He is. The writer of Hebrews says we are to look to Jesus. That word used for looking is that which means to deliberately look away from other things. Our focus is to be on Jesus because He is the founder of our faith. We are in the heavenly race because of Who Jesus is, fully God and fully man, what He did, made payment for our sins, and what He is doing, interceding for us at the throne of God.

Also, Jesus is the perfecter of our faith. Raymond Brown, He brings the faith of the former saints (11:40) and ours to triumphant completion. He makes it all perfect and he alone. Our moral integrity is essential, but that cannot bring our faith to completion. Our devoted service is valuable, but that cannot perfect our faith. Our spiritual experiences can be inspiring and illuminating, but Jesus is faith’s only consummator. Paul clearly pictures our utter dependence upon Jesus in Philippians 1:6, And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

We are to follow Jesus’ example of faith. Jesus viewed His journey to Golgotha as joyous. John 17:4, I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. The Christian life is a struggle but it still should be joyous. Who else has the words of eternal life? Who else shows us that the journey to heaven is available for all who place trust in Jesus alone? Who else gives meaning to life in a world that is meaningless for so many?

Jesus endured suffering and shame for us. Philippians 2:8, And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Raymond Brown, When we feel that we cannot summon another ounce of energy for ‘the race that is set before us,' we must think of the race that was set before him. He endured, though his course was incomparably more difficult than ours. Jesus triumphed and, in his strength, so can we.

Jesus finished His journey and is seated at the Father’ right hand. Hebrews 10:12, But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God. Raymond Brown, His redemptive work complete, he waits for the consummation of the ages and for the great moment when every tongue shall confess his lordship. Jesus completed His task and He will enable us to complete ours which is being conformed to His image.

Join the study of Hebrews under the Books of the Bible tab. The wonderful instruction from the Epistle to the Hebrews contains application needed for the race before us.

What God can do through people of faith!

The focus of Hebrews 11:17-31 is on the patriarchs, specifically Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph in verses 17-22. The second focus will be on Exodus to the Fall of Jericho which will include Moses, the Israelites and Rahab. This blog can’t do justice to these passages but the hopefully you will turn to the website and dig into the stories of faithful people serving our faithful God.

The issue of faith as commitment to the unseen is evident throughout chapter 11. Raymond Brown, This section resumes the exposition of faithful exploits . . . They illustrate the power of the promise and the role of faith, both in receiving God’s promises and in anticipating them. Some heroes were delivered through trials and others persevered through intense persecution. But, all kept their eyes on the promises of God.

Abraham was the only one described as being tested by God. The test was severe, possibly beyond what we would consider appropriate. William L. Lane, When Abraham obeyed God’s mandate to leave Ur, he simply gave up his past. But when he was summoned to Mount Moriah to deliver his own son to God, he was asked to surrender his future as well . . . He appears to have understood intuitively that the obedience of faith called for an allegiance to God that extended beyond even the most intimate of family ties . . . Are we prepared for such a trial? I believe we are prepared by our loving Father for whatever He has for us. But, you might think the thought of Warren Wiersbe, Why would God want Abraham to sacrifice his son when it was the Lord who gave him that son? All of a future nation’s promises were wrapped up in Isaac. The older I get, the more I accept the statement by William Barclay, If we take God at his word and stake everything on him, even when there seems to be nothing but a blank wall in front of us, the way of escape will open up.

Isaac, Jacob and Joseph are found in this section. Consider the summary by William Barclay, The point which the writer to the Hebrews wishes to make is that all three men died without having entered into the promise that God had made, the promise of the promised land and of greatness to the nation of Israel. Isaac was still a nomad, Jacob was an exile in Egypt, Joseph had attained to greatness but it was the greatness of a stranger in a strange land; and yet they never doubted that the promise would come true. They died not in despair but in hope. Their faith defeated death. Too often, we believe all of God’s promises are for today. Yet, some are for tomorrow and others are for eternity. The promises enable us to focus on the unseen but our hope is in the God who keeps His promises.

The story of Moses is one of mercy, grace, and hope. Zane Hodges, With this transition to the life of Moses, the writer began to focus on the way faith confronts opposition and hostility, a subject familiar to his readers. . . It was by faith that Moses was hidden by his parents and his life was thus preserved. . . . Delighted by the precious gift of a son which God had given them, they evidently believed God had something better for this lovely baby than death. Moses was a man of privilege who chose promises instilled in him by his parents. Thomas Constable, Moses had a true appreciation for the promises of God. This led him to choose the reward associated with Israel’s promised Messiah over the temporary material wealth he could have enjoyed had he stayed in Egypt. I was convicted as I read a quote by R. Kent Hughes, I personally believe that seeing “him who is invisible” is not extraordinary. Rather, it is ordinary, normal Christianity. Moses, as well as every other person in The Hall of Faith saw clearly by faith what makes an eternal difference.

The Israelites were examples of those who can be transformed by the example of another. There was much lack of faith in the Israelites. But, after 40 years in the wilderness there was a group who saw what Moses had seen, a God faithful in all of His promises. R. Kent Hughes, One man’s faith can be so authentic and effectual that it can elevate a whole people and secure their deliverance! I appreciate the quote by Ray Stedman, God does not send believers out into a sea of trouble to drown; his promise is to see them through to the other side.

Rahab was a Gentile and a prostitute who bought into the promises of God. William L. Lane, Although a foreigner to the covenant people, she manifested a faith that was oriented toward the future and that found specific content in the acts of the God of Israel (Josh 2:11). She was prepared to assume present peril for the sake of future preservation (Joshua 2:12–16). Too often, we can mistakenly assume that we have found favor with God based on our goodness. Rahab should be a reminder that our favor has been received solely from our good God . Ray Stedman emphasizes the depth of God’s love for all those who come to him by faith as seen in Rahab, She went on to marry Salmon and became the mother of Boaz, and thus the great-grandmother of David. Faith overcame a sinful life, delivered her from a pagan religion. Also, Warren Wiersbe, Imagine a pagan harlot becoming a part of the ancestry of Jesus Christ! That is what faith can do!

A person can’t spend too much time in Hebrews 11. I hope you will take time to review the entire 40 verses under the Books of the Bible tab. There are 29 pages of quotes and comments in the outline which look to faith as the basis on which life must be lived. Consider a reason proposed by Thomas Constable, God intended this wonderful chapter to encourage us to continue to trust and obey Him in the midst of temptations to turn away from following Him faithfully.