4 March • Monday of the Third Week in Lent
Hebrews 12:12-29
12 Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, 13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed. 14 Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. 15 See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled; 16 that no one is sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal. 17 For you know that afterward, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, though he sought it with tears.
18 For you have not come to what may be touched, a blazing fire and darkness and gloom and a tempest 19 and the sound of a trumpet and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that no further messages be spoken to them. 20 For they could not endure the order that was given, “If even a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned.” 21 Indeed, so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, “I tremble with fear.” 22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, 23 and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24 and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.
25 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. 26 At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.” 27 This phrase, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of things that are shaken—that is, things that have been made—in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain. 28 Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, 29 for our God is a consuming fire.
Meditation
Hebrews 12:12-29 encourages us to embrace the unshakable kingdom of God in the midst of hardship. Life is often filled with challenges, uncertainties and it's easy for us to feel discouraged and overwhelmed. As believers, we are called to fix our eyes on something greater—the unshakable kingdom of God. The passage reminds us of the strength we will find in Christ and the eternal hope in Him.
We are to walk right with one another and with God (vv.12-17). Living in peace with one another and striving for holiness are essentials for us as disciples of Christ. Using the imagery of physical strengthening (v.12), correcting the crooked path (v.13a), and healing (v.13b), we are encouraged to pursue peace with one another (v.14a) and to pursue holiness (v.14b), for without which we will not experience the grace of God (v.15). Our pursuit of peace and holiness should be relentless, to avoid “bitterness” (v.15b) and spiritual disappointments (vv.16-17).
We are to stand firm in the grace of God’s unfailing love (vv.18-24). At Mount Sinai (vv.18-21), God’s Glory descended and the Law was given. Mount Sinai is a reminder of our human sinfulness and inability to attain righteousness through our own efforts (Ephesians 2:8). Mount Zion (vv.22-24) the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, represents the new covenant of our Lord Jesus Christ. It’s a reminder that when we put our faith in Christ, we will have full access to God's grace, forgiveness, and eternal life (vv.23-24). In His unshakable mountain, we are assured of His unfailing love.
The passage (vv.25-29) concludes with a call to worship. Our faith is in a kingdom that cannot be shaken, a kingdom that is established on the firm foundation of Christ's sacrifice and victory over sin and death, for which we have a sure hope. Therefore, let us offer our heartfelt worship, awe, and reverence to God (v.28), and serve Him, who is the consuming fire (v.29)—both holy and glorious.
Prayer
Lord, we pray for Your divine strength as we persevere in our faith journey. Strengthen our weak hands and knees, and help us to pursue peace and holiness. Guard our hearts against bitterness. Help us to embrace Your unfailing love, knowing that You desire what is good for us. We thank You that we can approach Your unshakable throne with confidence, knowing that Jesus is our mediator and advocate. May Your unshakable love and grace surround us always. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
Action
As we journey through life, we will encounter challenges and hardships. We are reminded to fix our eyes on the unshakable kingdom of God. Strengthened by His grace and assured by His unfailing love, we can endure and overcome. Let us hold fast to our faith in Christ, knowing that our hope is in the unshakable promises of God. May we find joy and security in His eternal kingdom, always giving Him the praise and worship He deserves. Would you take a moment to thank God for His unfailing love, regardless of what challenges and hardship you may be facing or going through at this moment.
Revd Canon Dr Lewis Lew
Vicar & Dean of Laos
St George's Church
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