Hebrews 12:18-29 (NRSV)
Read Hebrews 12:18-29 on biblegateway.com
Verse 18You have not come to something that can be touched, a blazing fire, and darkness, and gloom, and a tempest, Verse 19and the sound of a trumpet, and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that not another word be spoken to them. Verse 20(For they could not endure the order that was given, "If even an animal touches the mountain, it shall be stoned to death." Verse 21Indeed, so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, "I tremble with fear.") Verse 22But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, Verse 23and 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, Verse 24and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. Verse 25See that you do not refuse the one who is speaking; for if they did not escape when they refused the one who warned them on earth, how much less will we escape if we reject the one who warns from heaven! Verse 26At 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 heaven." Verse 27This phrase, "Yet once more," indicates the removal of what is shaken-that is, created things-so that what cannot be shaken may remain. Verse 28Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us give thanks, by which we offer to God an acceptable worship with reverence and awe; Verse 29for indeed our God is a consuming fire.
Devotion
The reading from Hebrews calls to mind the terrifying appearances of God on Mount Sinai. God arrived on the mountain wrapped in thunder and lightning. The earth shook. The people trembled and feared for their lives. "Do not let God speak to us," the people begged Moses, "or we will die" (Exodus 20:19).
This fierce and awesome God will speak and will be heard, the writer of the Hebrews declares. Refuse to listen at your own peril! The way God has spoken in later days is through God's son, specifically through the blood of Jesus shed on the cross. Jesus has come to reveal to us God's fierce might and God's mercy. Jesus has come to show us what in the world will be shaken, and what will last. God's kingdom of mercy will last forever—and God invites us in! With thanksgiving we worship "with reverence and awe."
Prayer
Almighty God, we praise you for your majesty and mercy. Teach us to worship with reverence and awe every time we come into the consuming fire of your holy presence. Amen.