READ: Heb. 12:18-29: But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, … to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel. See that you do not refuse Him who speaks. … For our God is a consuming fire.
The people of Israel were not allowed to approach God closely because of their sin. When God descended on Mount Sinai to make a covenant with Israel, people would die if they touched the mountain. Even Moses was very afraid (v.21). He could only approach after being sprinkled with blood for reconciliation.
The blood of animals itself had no power but pointed to the coming Christ. The memory of this highlights the great privilege that Christ’s church enjoys after Christ’s atoning sacrifice is complete. In Him, there is now free access to God.
God still judges sin, like the sin of Cain, who killed his brother Abel. That blood calls for retribution. This call still echoes because sin has not been eradicated from the world.
But alongside Abel’s blood, there is now the blood of Christ, the High Priest who bore God’s vengeance for all the sin of those who believe. His blood is superior to Abel’s because it speaks of God’s merciful forgiveness of sinners.
We can now approach the heavenly Jerusalem of the living God and His armies. In Christ, our Mediator, we may now have communion with Him. There is even a joyful communion with all God’s chosen people of all times. We have the prospect of being with God forever, just like them.
There is a condition, however: we must not reject God’s Word. We must hold firmly to its absolute truth and God’s grace in Christ and live according to it. We must serve God in a way that pleases Him: with awe and reverence. Our God is the same: He cannot tolerate sin. He is still a consuming fire for those who do not seek refuge in Christ (vv.18, 29, cf. Deut. 4:24).
How do we hold fast to “the grace” (v.28)?
Singing: Ps. 103:7