Touching the Untouchable

For you have not come to what may be touched, a blazing fire and darkness and gloom and a tempest and the sound of a trumpet and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that no further messages be spoken to them. For they could not endure the order that was given, “If even a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned.” Indeed, so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, “I tremble with fear.” 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, 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, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. (Hebrews 12:18-24 ESV).

Our reading today goes back to the experience of Moses while in exile. He was tending sheep and saw a bush engulfed in flames, but not burning (cf. Exodus 3:1-6). As Moses approached the burning bush, God warned, “Do not come any closer.” God restrained Moses with good reason. God knew that an unholy man approaching him would face death. So his words that seem to reject are actually words of love, not unlike a parent’s warning to a child to be careful near a fire. While the words speak compassion, they also remind us of the contrast between God’s law and God’s grace. The Law says, “Do not come any closer. You are not worthy.” However, grace declares, “I have made you worthy, through Jesus.” God’s grace calls us to come. Four times in one verse in Isaiah, the Lord urges, “Come” (cf. Isaiah 55:1). Jesus calls, “Come to me” (cf. Matthew 11:28). The writer to the Hebrews in our reading today rejoices, “You have come to God.” James summons, “Come near to God” (cf. James 4:8). The Bible’s final chapter adds three more invitations: “Come” (cf. Revelation 22:17). The Law was never intended to be instructions in how we should live. Of course, they are incredibly thorough and if we could actually live these laws in our relationships with God and others we would be far better. However, they were designed to reveal the absolute failure in each of our lives. As good as we may be, we cannot live up to these expectations. The law somberly warns us of our perilous position as sinners before a holy God. Thus, God sends His only begotten Son to softly call us to His purchased grace. This is what we celebrate at the end of this Lenten season. It is his call to us to “Come, for all is well.” Jesus has come to earth so that we might come to God. Lent is a good time to come closer to God. Turn your attention to Him today as the One who beckons you!