Although Hebrews might be considered very doctrinal in nature . . . a lot of teaching . . . a lot of Old Testament context explained in the “better realities” of Christ . . . there’s a fair amount of “let us” as well. In light of such great truths, the writer repeatedly calls upon his readers to respond. “Let us strive to enter the rest” (4:11) . . .”let us draw near” (10:22) . . . “let us run with endurance” (12:1) . . . are just a a few of about a dozen calls to respond to great truth with fitting actions. Came across a couple more this morning in my reading . . .

“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, for our God is a consuming fire.” (Hebrews 12:28-29)

I’m reminded that I am receiving a kingdom. Not quite there yet, but I’m in line. By the blood of Jesus my “ticket” has been bought . . . my name is written on the RSVP’d list. With the eye of faith, and by the Spirit of God, I can see Mount Zion . . . the city of the living God . . . the heavenly Jerusalem, before me. I can envision an innumerable host of angels gathered in festal chorus . . . I know that there is an assembly of those who have already gone before me, who have already arrived and are registered . . . I see them as they bow before the throne . . . and, though I need to avert my gaze because of the unimaginable glory that shines forth, I catch a glimpse of God, the judge of all . . . and, in the midst, there is Jesus, the mediator of this blessed new covenant (12:22-24).

And the response? . . . the “let us”? I should be grateful that I’m receiving an unshakeable kingdom . . . I should, with reverence and awe, offer God acceptable worship.

Pretty easy to lose sight of the eternal. A lot going on down here . . . enough distraction for the day and then some . . . too many things vying for the hearts attention . . . sometimes a constant roller-coaster ride that ends up throwing you off balance and making you a bit sick to your stomach. Probably not a better time than, when the rides paused for a bit . . . and you’re staggering a bit trying to regain equilibrium, . . . to be reminded of the kingdom through His Word . . . to have your gaze directed again to the King. And then . . . be grateful . . . and then . . . worship.

Context . . . right? We deal with the stuff of the “here and now” in the light of the realities of the “there and then.” While our feet are on this earth, we’re reminded that we’ve also been seated together with Him in the heavenlies (Eph. 2:6) . . . and so we look to things above. While what’s in front of our noses is the agenda for the day, we are reminded that faith is substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen (Heb. 11:1 NKJV). And so . . . we gaze upon the city of God we’ll soon inhabit . . . and to it’s King . . . our mediator . . . our Shepherd . . . my Jesus . . . “and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.”

And then dear saint, let us be grateful . . . and let us worship . . . by His grace . . . and for His glory!

Let us! Amen?