Hebrews 12:14-29 (from the NRSV (Anglicised), with OT quotes in italics)
14 Pursue peace with everyone, and 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 through it many become defiled. 16 See to it that no one becomes like Esau, an immoral and godless person, who sold his birthright for a single meal. 17 You know that later, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, even though he sought the blessing with tears.
18 You have not come to something that can 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 not another word be spoken to them. 20 (For they could not endure the order that was given, ‘If even an animal touches the mountain, it shall be stoned to death.’ 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 the one who is speaking; for if they did not escape when they refused the one who warned them on earth, how much less will we escape if we reject the one 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 heaven.’ 27 This phrase ‘Yet once more’ indicates the removal of what is shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain. 28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us give thanks, by which we offer to God an acceptable worship with reverence and awe; 29 for indeed our God is a consuming fire.
Reflection
Today’s verses complete the main body of the letter, and draw its message into a full circle. The final chapter will be more personal and practical in tone. But first comes an emphatic ending to the long exhortation that started in chapter ten. ‘You need faith and endurance,’ said the writer (10:36-39), like the faithful of old (11:1-40). ‘So run with perseverance and look to Jesus’ (12:1-2). ‘Do not lose heart when trials come’ (12:3-13). And now three paragraphs of warning and invitation.
Peace and holiness are matters of relationship (v.14) – with other people and with God. None of us runs this route alone. We belong to a community of faith. Toxic behaviour will distort our bond with others. Temptation may divert us from God’s blessing (vv.15-17).
For the gospel offers richer blessing than even Israel’s ancient covenant with God. That earlier encounter, when the law was given at Mount Sinai, had been almost overwhelming (vv.18-21, from Exodus 19). Yet the prospect now ahead has a greater majesty, fuller praise and a more glorious hope. Here are completeness, community, and a covenant sealed and secured by Jesus (vv.22-24).
So God’s word in Jesus matters, above every other word. Hebrews started by recalling that ‘God spoke long ago in many and various ways … but has now spoken by a Son’ (1:1-2). And as we circle back to that initial thought, the voice of God claims a hearing even more earnest and attentive than before.(v25) For God will shake earth and heaven, just once more (vv.26-27), and what follows will be ‘an unshakeable kingdom’, where people can worship God and enjoy God for ever (v.28). God deserves reverence and awe (v.28), and as the last chapter of the letter will remind us, God is our help and strength.
Prayer
God of our senses and our souls,
we hear many voices with their claims and challenges.
Help us to hear most clearly your voice in Jesus,
stirring us from within,
beckoning us from ahead,
inviting us above.
Amen.