Text: Hebrews 12:18-24 (NIV)
Main Idea: Jesus is Lord of the “New.”
Vss. 18-20 Are a description of Mt. Sinai where Moses received the Law, the Old Covenant.
Vss. 22-24 Are a description of Mt. Zion and the New Covenant, put into effect by Christ by His blood.
The Tabernacle. In Exodus chapters 35-40, under the Old Covenant, God gave Moses detailed instructions for the Tabernacle, which was His dwelling place among His people as they traveled to the Promised Land. “Just any old place” would not do to house the presence of Almighty God.
Jesus the Mediator of the New. By faith in Him, He made each one of us suitable residences for the Presence of the living God. The God of the Old is the same God of the New. God did not lower His standards for quality and beauty, instead He raised us up to His standards of glory.
John 14:16-17. “I will ask the Father.” The Spirit indwelling us a gift from the Father, but it was Jesus’ idea.
Ephesians 1:13-14 “a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance” The Holy Spirit is a down payment from God.
Nothing demonstrates God’s commitment to us more than the indwelling of His Spirit who is there “forever” and will “never” leave us.
Vs. 24 The blood of Abel. The blood of Abel called for justice. The blood of Christ calls out forgiveness.
Receiving forgiveness requires consciousness of sin.
Even if there was no heaven, Jesus freeing us from a life controlled by sin would have been a gift of mercy.
What happens when we “receive” Christ?
2 Corinthians 5:17: “New creature”; Ephesians 2:19: God’s people; God’s household.
Invitation to join the joyful assembly: 1 John 5:11-13
Clinton Scott says
I read Exodus 35-40. The detail of The Tabernacle, The Ark, The Table, The Lampstand, The Altar of Incense, The Altar of Burnt Offering, The Basin for Washing, The Courtyard, and The Priestly Garments is very specific and precise. You said the dwelling place God creates in every Believer is infinitely more glorious than all the holy artifacts fashioned by those incredibly gifted artisans in Exodus 35-40. I am praying the Spirit of Truth opens my spiritual eyes so that I can fully comprehend with all the saints the meaning John 14:16-17 and John 14:26-27. I often wondered whether a part of John 14:26 was given only to His disciples by virtue of the phrase “will remind you of everything I have said to you.” To me, this sounds like Jesus is referring to personal conversations between Himself and His disciples but the first part of the verse “But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name will teach you all things” sounds like a truth reserved for Believers (past, present, and future). I welcome any further instruction or clarification to help me understand the meaning of this verse. Ephesians 1:13-14 assuring us the Holy Spirit is a down payment from God is a truth the Holy Spirit has made real to me on numerous occasions. Many years ago, pastors and Bible teachers tried to get me to think that I could only receive the seal of the Holy Spirit when I spoke in tongues. Speaking in tongues was widely believed as the “proof” needed to confirm that I had been sealed by the Holy Spirit. And conversely, if I did not speak in tongues, that was “proof positive” I had not received the Holy Spirit. This teaching confused me to no end! Although several weeks passed by before I spoke in tongues, the Holy Spirit kept convicting my heart and mind in unmistakable ways that I belonged to Him. I knew the Holy Spirit sealed me because I personally experienced the New Birth… I could not deny the truth of 2 Corinthians 5:17. I was absolutely convinced I was a new creature in Christ Jesus. And there was no way I could deny what had happened to me without calling the Holy Spirit a liar. And that was never going to happen. I was prepared to give up my life.