A Tale of Two Mountains     

Hebrews 12.18-29 & Psalm 103.1-8

Our Lectionary reading today places two mountains before us: Mount Sinai and Mount Zion. They are the mountains of Law and Grace. Mount Sinai blazes with fire and death. Mount Zion blazes with joy and life. The writer of Hebrews is warning his readers against turning back to the old Jewish order, under the Law of Moses given at Mount Sinai. The way of the Law is always tempting because it seems to be the way to God. But the writer reminds his readers that the Law always thunders and condemns. It comes from a mountain that burns with fire; a mountain of darkness, gloom and storm; a mountain of death; a mountain that is terrifying and causes trembling and fear. But there is another mountain. It is Mount Zion. It is the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of God. It is the place of joy and celebration. It is the church established by Christ through the shedding of his blood, the blood of the New Covenant, laid before us at The Table of Our Lord, which  proclaims mercy and righteousness through faith in him.