March 4th, 2022 – Later Friday Afternoon
“But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels, to the general assembly and 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, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks better than the blood of Abel.” ~Hebrews 12:22-24
I know that we technically already covered this section of Hebrews 12 in the last devotional; however, I sense that the Lord would have us stop and ponder it a bit longer… As we do, it seems apparent from reading the passage that there is a level of glory and awe that is sadly lacking in the Church today. Why do I say such a thing? Let’s take a look at these verses:
First off, remember that we as believers – redeemed saints through the blood of Jesus Christ – are the recipients of this passage. [If you are reading this as an unbeliever – meaning that you are not a child of the Father through the finished work of the cross and the power of the resurrection – you not only will not be able to fully comprehend this passage, but it does not apply to you. Not that it cannot, but you must turn to Christ and be saved through the power of the Holy Spirit first…] We have come to Mount Zion and the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem; we have become a part of the general assembly and the church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven! Our spirits, clothed in the righteousness of Christ, are being made perfect, and we have become participants of the new covenant since our hearts have been sprinkled with the blood (Jesus’ blood) that is more pure and innocent than that of Abel’s.
Second, look at that of which we have become partakers!!! We have gained access to the city of the living God – the only God and the only Creator and Sustainer of everything that exists! We are surrounded by and witnesses with myriads – thousands, thousands of thousands, etc. – of angels! Our names are written in the Lamb’s book of life and we are known by God Himself, He who is the Judge of all! Our sins have been washed away and we have been given the ability to be righteous before God while enjoying an eternal relationship with Him! [I know that’s a lot of exclamation points, but they are more than fully justified!!!]
Do you understand why I said earlier that there is a level of glory and awe that is sadly lacking in the Church today? Since all of this passage is really true, where is the evidence of the power and the authority of God over His people? Why isn’t the Body of Christ responding to Him with joyful obedience and humble awe? Why aren’t we living in the reality of who we really are and Who we really belong to? Is it because we don’t really believe that the One we worship is the LIVING God and the Judge of all? Have we forgotten that we have come to the general assembly and church of the firstborn enrolled in heaven – THE CHURCH, BUILDING, AND BODY OF THE LIVING CHRIST??? That we have joined the saints of God from all time (and will join them in person for all of eternity)? That we who live in the righteousness of Christ WILL be made perfect?
My dear friends, let us live no longer as though we were still children of the devil. Let us throw off the sinful flesh and its passions, trading our shame and despair for the joy, glory, awe, and power of the living God. Let us be more than conquerors through Christ – whether He takes us through fire or flood – and let us take advantage of the grace, mercy, and peace that is ours as children of the only true God.
May He be glorified in our hearts, our minds, and in our reflection of His authority over us in Christ! Thank You, Father!