Hebrews is the book that just “keeps on giving.” Just when you think you’ve reached the apex . . . there’s more mountain to behold . . . just when you think you’re stuffed from all the food you’ve taken in . . . out comes the dessert . . . just when you’re heart is flying high, the afterburners kick in and it soars. And then . . . there’s more!

The writer to the Hebrews has taken me on an incredible journey, presenting the excellencies of Christ and how much better He is than any of the Old Testament prophets or practices which pointed to Him. This culminates in the Hebrews 11 “Hall of Faith” which showcases that the substance of the hope presented in Christ is faith . . . that faith is the evidence of the things not seen . . . that faith is what pleases God.

And then the “so what?” starts in Hebrews 12 — so what does all this mean for me the believer today? And the focus is turned to how believers should live . . . that we should look to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, and run with endurance the race set before us (12:1-2). The writer says, Get a grip . . . strengthen those legs . . . get on track . . . pursue peace with all people . . . pursue holiness . . . be careful to not fall short of the grace of God . . . don’t let anything grow up inside you which will spoil God’s work in you and defile you (12:12-15).

And as if what has come before isn’t motivation enough for determining to “step up” to this salvation we’ve been given, the writer builds further perspective in 12:18-24. He places the struggles of their “here and now” in the context of the glories of their “there and then.” He reminds these Jewish believers that this isn’t about coming to Mt. Sinai anymore . . . its not about cowering in fear before an unapproachable God . . . its not about the law . . . but that it is about something, not to over use the word, so much better . . .

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 12:22-24 ESV)

Behold your salvation, Pete!!!

By the grace of God and through the blood of Jesus I have been made alive to the spiritual and entered the eternal . . . coming to a heavenly city inhabited by an innumerable company of angels. I’ve been registered in heaven as part of “the church of the firstborn.” The way has been opened and I have been ushered before God, the judge of all . . . escorted in by Jesus the Mediator, and the Assurance, of this new and living way . . . all through the blood of a once for all sacrifice offered by the Lamb of God, come to take away the sins of the world.

So get your eyes off the ground!! There’s more!

Look heavenward and behold your salvation! Strengthen your hands . . . make straight your paths . . . be healed as you march under Zion’s banner.

And then, worship saint, worship!

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 . . .   (Hebrews 12:28 ESV)

For His glory!