August 18, 2014
GIVING UP THE NEW TO PUT ON THE OLD?
Hebrews 12:14–29
Lisa Schubert
Central Truth
The Hebrew believers were tempted to go back to living by the Jewish law because of persecution. No temporary relief or pleasure is of more value than what we have in Christ. Nothing compares with being a member of the church of the firstborn!
Key Verse | Hebrews 12:16
[T]hat no one is sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal. (Hebrews 12:16)
Hebrews 12:14–29
14 Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. 15 See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled; 16 that no one is sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal. 17 For you know that afterward, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, though he sought it with tears.
A Kingdom That Cannot Be Shaken
18 For you have not come to what may be touched, a blazing fire and darkness and gloom and a tempest 19 and the sound of a trumpet and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that no further messages be spoken to them. 20 For they could not endure the order that was given, “If even a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned.” 21 Indeed, so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, “I tremble with fear.” 22 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, 23 and to the assembly 1 12:23 Or church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24 and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.
25 See that you do not refuse him who is speaking. For if they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape if we reject him who warns from heaven. 26 At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.” 27 This phrase, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of things that are shaken—that is, things that have been made—in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain. 28 Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, 29 for our God is a consuming fire.
Dive Deeper | Hebrews 12:14–29
In this passage, the writer of Hebrews attempts to show the Jewish believers how Jesus is better. He is better than the prophets, angels, Moses, and high priests. The writer tells them that the New Covenant, made available through Christ's blood, is far better than the Old Covenant received on Mount Sinai.
The Old Testament Jews were afraid to come near the "mountain" of God. But we can draw near with confidence to the throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16)! The Jews, bound by the Old Covenant, could only approach God through Moses or a high priest. The Jews were afraid even to hear His voice. And Moses was afraid, too! But we have come to the city of the living God and to Jesus, the mediator of a New Covenant (verses 22 and 24)!
These Jewish believers were being persecuted for following Christ instead of adhering to the Jewish laws and traditions. They were thinking of going back to following the Law to avoid persecution. Esau faced a similar situation. Like Esau, the Jews allowed a present situation (persecution) to entice them to consider giving up a huge blessing. Esau, the firstborn son to Isaac, gave up his birthright in exchange for getting his stomach filled when he was famished (Genesis 25:29-34).
These Hebrews had considered giving up all of the blessings that would have been bestowed on them because of their relationship with the Father that was made possible through Jesus' blood. In Hebrews 12:18-24, the writer shows them what they would be giving up in order to escape temporary persecution. The writer reminds them that they had received a kingdom that cannot be shaken. Instead of abandoning their relationship with the Father, made possible through the Son, they were to show gratitude, by "offer[ing] to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe" (verse 28) -- a very fitting response to such awesome grace.
We might think that those Hebrews were crazy for even considering giving up their relationship with Christ! But have you ever allowed a present situation -- fear of being left out and/or lust for any of a number of ungodly things -- entice you to ignore your relationship with Christ, which in turn harmed your walk with Him? Was it worth it?
Discussion Questions
1. What tempts you to abandon your walk with Christ?
2. Are you following the Lord in your own strength (following the Law)? Or are you walking by the power of the Holy Spirit because you have trusted Christ as your Savior (Galatians 2:20, 3:3)?
3. "Do you see what we've got? An unshakable kingdom! And do you see how thankful we must be? Not only thankful, but brimming with worship, deeply reverent before God." (Hebrews 12:28, The Message)