Jesus the Perfect Mediator
Exodus 20:18-21: "Now when all the people saw the thunder and the flashes of lightning and the sound of the trumpet and the mountain smoking, the people were afraid and trembled, and they stood far off and said to Moses, 'You speak to us, and we will listen; but do not let God speak to us, lest we die.' Moses said to the people, 'Do not fear, for God has come to test you, that the fear of him may be before you, that you may not sin.' The people stood far off, while Moses drew near to the thick darkness where God was."
Even at the base of the mountain, the Israelites beheld the glory of God. Imagine standing at the bottom of the mountain and seeing the lightning, hearing the thunder and the trumpet blasts, and watching the smoke. What a glorious and fearful image! They respond with healthy fear of the Lord, and they beseech Moses to meet with the Lord alone and to instruct them on his behalf. The Israelites needed a mediator between them and the Lord. Moses would serve as that mediator, taking the words of the Lord to his people. He would intercede for the people, lead the people, encourage the people, and constantly remind them of what the Lord expected from them.
It is important to remember that as the mediator between the Israelites and the Lord, Moses did not share his own great thoughts about God or his own ideas. Instead, Moses faithfully spoke the very words of God. There was no twisting, changing, or altering the message to make it more palatable or understandable. Moses entrusted himself to the Lord, and he faithfully conveyed the word of the Lord to his people.
The writer of Hebrews reminds his readers of the Old Covenant given on Mount Sinai, and he talks about Jesus as the mediator of the New Covenant. Even greater than Moses and the Old Covenant is that mediation of the New Covenant through Jesus. Jesus spoke the very word of God. In fact, he not only spoke the word of God, but he was the incarnate Word. Hebrews warns us about listening to this incarnate Word: "See that you do not refuse him who is speaking. For if they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape if we reject him who warns from heaven" (Hebrews 12:25). We have heard the word of the Lord through Jesus Christ, and we must respond to that word.
When the nation of Israel saw and heard the Lord upon Mount Sinai, it was an awesome experience. Having Moses mediate the words of the Old Covenant was a gift in leading the nation of Israel to live as God's holy people. Far surpassing the Old Covenant and Moses is the New Covenant ushered in through the blood of Jesus. The words of Jesus are trustworthy and true as they are the very words of the Father.
The Father still speaks to his people today. The Bible is the great revelation of the Lord. He speaks his truth, he reveals who he is and who we are, and he provides the guidelines for us to live as his beloved children. Are we faithfully listening to his words?
Reflection:
Are you faithfully reflecting on his Word and allowing it to be the authority of your life? How do you hear God's voice?
Even at the base of the mountain, the Israelites beheld the glory of God. Imagine standing at the bottom of the mountain and seeing the lightning, hearing the thunder and the trumpet blasts, and watching the smoke. What a glorious and fearful image! They respond with healthy fear of the Lord, and they beseech Moses to meet with the Lord alone and to instruct them on his behalf. The Israelites needed a mediator between them and the Lord. Moses would serve as that mediator, taking the words of the Lord to his people. He would intercede for the people, lead the people, encourage the people, and constantly remind them of what the Lord expected from them.
It is important to remember that as the mediator between the Israelites and the Lord, Moses did not share his own great thoughts about God or his own ideas. Instead, Moses faithfully spoke the very words of God. There was no twisting, changing, or altering the message to make it more palatable or understandable. Moses entrusted himself to the Lord, and he faithfully conveyed the word of the Lord to his people.
The writer of Hebrews reminds his readers of the Old Covenant given on Mount Sinai, and he talks about Jesus as the mediator of the New Covenant. Even greater than Moses and the Old Covenant is that mediation of the New Covenant through Jesus. Jesus spoke the very word of God. In fact, he not only spoke the word of God, but he was the incarnate Word. Hebrews warns us about listening to this incarnate Word: "See that you do not refuse him who is speaking. For if they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape if we reject him who warns from heaven" (Hebrews 12:25). We have heard the word of the Lord through Jesus Christ, and we must respond to that word.
When the nation of Israel saw and heard the Lord upon Mount Sinai, it was an awesome experience. Having Moses mediate the words of the Old Covenant was a gift in leading the nation of Israel to live as God's holy people. Far surpassing the Old Covenant and Moses is the New Covenant ushered in through the blood of Jesus. The words of Jesus are trustworthy and true as they are the very words of the Father.
The Father still speaks to his people today. The Bible is the great revelation of the Lord. He speaks his truth, he reveals who he is and who we are, and he provides the guidelines for us to live as his beloved children. Are we faithfully listening to his words?
Reflection:
Are you faithfully reflecting on his Word and allowing it to be the authority of your life? How do you hear God's voice?
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