Today’s passage: Hebrews 12:18-29
Helpful thoughts:
- If the events surrounding the giving of the Old Covenant brought terror, anyone who would reject the New Covenant should be terrified all the more.
- The Old Covenant shook the earth, but the New Covenant will result in the shaking of the heavens. Only the kingdom of God cannot be shaken. Christ will reign, all who reject Him will be defeated.
- “The firstborn who are enrolled” refers to those who have believed in Christ and therefore share in His inheritance (Hebrews 1:6 – Christ called the “Firstborn”) and are enrolled in the Book of Life (Revelation 20:12-15).
- The blood of Abel “cried out” to expose sin and demand justice. The blood of Christ speaks a better word, it brought about the justice of God and guaranteed righteousness for all who believe (Verse 24).
Questions to consider:
- What is the nature of this warning given near the end of this letter? What is the main challenge of this passage? What is at stake?
- Is following Jesus optional? Who is He? What is God (Verse 29)? How do these truths necessitate the response called for in verse 28?
- What does it mean to worship God with reverence and awe? What does this look like in our daily lives? How should we view sin, the Word of God, the church, our families, our work, etc.?