Jun 18

After comparing the dramatically different natures of the two mountains described in Scripture, Hebrews 12 then goes on to compare the two results of encountering those mountains.

The mountain which the people encountered in the Old Testament was a mountain of fire and smoke and pronouncements of laws and regulations for living before God, and there were dire consequences for disobeying those laws. Verse 24 mentions the cry of Abel, which Scripture records as having called out for justice and retribution for his murder.

But the new mountain of God which Jesus Christ has given to us speaks of better things. If God were to judge us in strict accordance with his laws requiring perfect obedience, no one would be saved because no one but Jesus has ever lived a perfect life.

But Jesus is the very one who stands up for us on the mountain of God's judgment and testifies to God that his sacrifice on a mount in Jerusalem is sufficient to gain us entrance into his kingdom. His perfection is counted as ours.

Scripture for today: Hebrews 12:14-24
Thought for today: The Isaac who came down from the mountain was not the Isaac who went up it.
Prayer for today: Thank you, Jesus, for the mountains in my life that serve to unite me with you in suffering and final victory at the summit.

JUN 18