Devotion on Hebrews 12:18-29

For the writer of the Hebrews, the contrast between the old covenant and the new covenant is one his readers need to appreciate at deeper levels than they do. His readers have received the word preached in the past. However, will they continue living in the better way provided by Christ, or turn back to the old way. The contrast is simple. The way of the old covenant led to death. The way of the new covenant, the city of the living God bursts with life and light. The angels gather in this heavenly city for a festive occasion. The old covenant shook the Hebrews tribes. By extension, one might say that the way of the old covenant continues to shake the Jewish people. However, the way of the covenant provided in Jesus, the perfect sacrifice, the perfect high priest, and the perfect temple, will bring a universal shaking. This second shaking will winnow out everything that stands apart from the gift of God that leads to salvation. What God leaves behind in this second shaking is a kingdom that no one can shake! In that sense, “God is a consuming fire,” removing what is unworthy.