Afraid to go to God? You may not know about the new way described in Hebrews
- Thad DeBuhr
- Aug 22
- 9 min read
Hebrews Chapter 12, verses 18 through 24
The Main Message: Jesus moved us from a scary, distant relationship with God to a welcoming, close one..
Quick Note: We're making a small change to our study guides to better serve our international users.
We've found that our audible translation tool, which is popular with listeners in India and Kenya, has been misreading the chapter and verse references. For example, it would read "Hebrews 12:14-15" as "Hebrews 12 o'clock and 15 minutes."
To fix this, we are adjusting the formatting so the tool reads the verses correctly. If you notice a change in how the chapters and verses are written from now on, that's why!
The Ticket you hold makes a difference: General Admittance versus the VIP All-access pass
Imagine receiving an invitation to a concert. Not just any concert, but one with the most famous, most influential, most powerful person in the world. The invitation for the general public is for the cheap seats way in the back, and it comes with a long list of rules: no cameras, no loud talking, no touching the stage, and if you step out of line, you're kicked out. You feel a sense of dread and distance, just hoping you don't mess up. But then, you get a second, unexpected invitation. This one has your name on it, and it's a VIP pass. It says, "Come to the backstage party. You have a direct line to the artist. Eat with them, talk with them, and celebrate with them. There are no rules except to enjoy yourself. You have been welcomed." This second invitation completely changes everything. You’re no longer a distant spectator but an honored guest. This is a picture of what Jesus has done for us.
Before moving on, pause and read through Hebrews chapter 12, verses 18 through 24 in a couple of different translations. Choose two from this selection: NIV, NLT, ESV, NASB, NKJV
Setting the Scene: The old way of fear is gone; the new way of grace brings us close to God.
Hebrews, chapter 12, verses 18-24 presents a vivid and intentional contrast between two mountains: Mount Sinai and Mount Zion. This isn't just a geographical comparison; it's a theological one. The author's goal is to show the immense superiority of the new covenant mediated by Jesus over the old covenant given through Moses.
Mount Sinai represents the Old Covenant and is described in verses 18 through 21. This imagery is drawn directly from the biblical account in Exodus, chapter 19. For the original Jewish readers, this wasn't just a story; it was a deeply ingrained cultural memory of a sacred and terrifying place. Ancient cultures had a strong sense of taboo and divine access. To violate the "don't touch the mountain" rule (Exodus, chapter 19, verses 12 through 13) meant immediate death because of God's immense holiness. The fire, darkness, and trumpet blast weren't just special effects; they were a terrifying manifestation of God's presence that inherently demanded distance and separation. This was a demonstration of God's holy and unapproachable nature. This scene highlights that the old covenant was a system of law that kept a sinful people at a distance from a holy God. The Law, while good, served to reveal sin and condemn it, creating fear and a sense of "don't come near." The people's terror and their request for a mediator (Moses) underscore the chasm between humanity and God under the old covenant.
A Deeper Look
Now, in verses 22 through 24, the author dramatically shifts the scene to Mount Zion, representing the New Covenant. The language changes from the fearful "you have not come to" to the joyous "but you have come to." This isn't a physical place in the same way as Sinai, but a spiritual and heavenly reality. We, as believers, have been granted access to a new, living reality through Jesus. The contrast is seen in who and what we have come to:
The City of the Living God: Not a physical city, but the heavenly Jerusalem. This is our true citizenship and ultimate home (Philippians, chapter 3, verse 20).
Myriads of Angels: We are part of a joyous, innumerable heavenly assembly, a celestial celebration that we are now included in.
The Church of the Firstborn: This refers to all believers, past, present, and future, whose names are "enrolled in heaven." We are part of God's eternal family, not an isolated group. The original readers would have understood this as an incredible privilege, as it signifies a transition from a fearful, solitary encounter with God to a celebratory, communal worship experience.
God, the Judge of All: Unlike the terrifying voice at Sinai, we can now approach the righteous judge of all with confidence, knowing we are righteous in Christ.
The Spirits of the Righteous Made Perfect: This includes Old Testament saints who, through faith, anticipated the work of Christ and are now made complete in Him.
Jesus, the Mediator of a New Covenant: This is the central figure of the passage. Unlike Moses, who mediated a covenant of law, Jesus mediates a covenant of grace. He is the one who has bridged the chasm.
The Sprinkled Blood that Speaks a Better Word: This is a powerful contrast to the "blood of Abel" mentioned in the passage. Abel's blood cried out for vengeance and justice (Genesis, chapter 4, verse 10). The author's point is that while Abel's blood demanded vengeance, Jesus's blood offers forgiveness. This is a radical and counter-cultural idea rooted in the sacrificial system of the time. Instead of demanding a life for a life (vengeance), Jesus's sacrifice gives life for a death (forgiveness). It’s a complete reversal of the expected outcome and the core of the new covenant.
This is the central point the author is making: we have been moved from a place of fear and separation to a place of joy, community, and direct access to God Himself, all because of Jesus.
BE SURE TO WATCH THE VIDEO PODCAST THAT GOES DEEPER INTO THIS SECTION OF HEBREWS
See viewer comments and questions on screen at the end of the podcast.
Questions for you to chew on and discuss:
How does the contrast between the fear and gloom of Mount Sinai and the joy and celebration of Mount Zion affect your personal perception of God?
The passage emphasizes that we have "come to" Mount Zion. In what ways do you live out the reality that you are already part of this heavenly assembly and have access to God through Jesus?
The blood of Abel cried out for vengeance, while the blood of Jesus speaks a "better word." What are some of the practical ways in which the message of forgiveness and mercy from Jesus's blood has changed your life?
Journey Group Discussion Starter:
Read Hebrews, chapter 12, verses 18 through 24 and then read Exodus, chapter 19, verses 16 through 20. What specific details in the Exodus passage does the author of Hebrews highlight? How does he use those details to emphasize the difference between the old and new covenants? Discuss what it means to be part of the "unshakable kingdom" mentioned in the following verses and how this truth can encourage you and your group today.
How to Apply These Lessons from Hebrews Today:
This passage isn't just a history lesson; it's a blueprint for how you can live your life today. For the average person clocking in on a job, whether you're working a construction site, driving a truck, fixing a busted pipe, or navigating retirement, the lessons here hit close to home.
1. You've Got a New Relationship with the Boss.
Think of it this way: the old covenant was like working for a tough foreman who only communicates through a megaphone from a distance. The rules were strict, the work was hard, and if you messed up, you were done. That's Mount Sinai. The new covenant is like Jesus, the Son of the Owner, coming down and working right beside you. He knows you, he’s got your back, and he’s already paid the full price for all your mistakes. This passage tells us we don't have to be afraid to talk to Him. You can go to Him with your problems, your frustrations, and your screw-ups, and you don’t have to wonder if you're good enough. The welcome mat is out because of what He did.
2. You’re Part of a Team, Not a Lone Wolf.
Working alone can be tough. Whether it's a job site or a long drive, the sense of isolation can wear you down. The Mount Zion picture shows us we're not flying solo. We've "come to" an uncountable team of angels and fellow believers. This is what the church is supposed to be. It's not a cold, formal place where you just show up. It's the locker room for the team you’re on, the place where you can get help, give help, and celebrate the wins together. Knowing you're part of this massive, heavenly crew can give you the courage to face whatever comes your way, whether it's a difficult coworker or a long day on the job.
3. The Past is Paid for, So Keep Moving Forward.
The "better word" of Jesus's blood means the mistakes you made yesterday or last year—the things that have been weighing you down—don't have to hold you captive. Just like a good boss might tell you, "Don't worry about that broken tool; it's already been replaced," Jesus tells us not to worry about our past failures because He has paid the full price. This gives you the freedom to start each day fresh. It means you can let go of the guilt and shame and move forward with purpose. The voice of Jesus isn't crying out for vengeance; it's cheering you on, offering forgiveness and a new start every single day.
Join a Journey Group
Ready to move from the scary, distant mountain of "doing it alone" to the joyous assembly of Mount Zion? This study guide is a great start, but the Christian journey isn't a solo hike. The author of Hebrews reminds us that we've been welcomed into a community, not just a set of rules. Why try to navigate this new covenant by yourself when you can join a team?
A Journey Group is your chance to connect with others who are also trying to figure out what it means to be part of God's "unshakable kingdom." It's a place for honest questions, real support, and a chance to cheer each other on. Stop hiking alone and find your crew.
Go to https://www.yourjesusjourney.com/journeygroups to learn more about joining one or even starting your own.
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GREAT VIP analogy. Thank you !