Shadows (Part 2)

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"You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm; to a trumpet blast or to such a voice speaking words that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them, because they could not bear what was commanded: "If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned." The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, "I am trembling with fear."

But you have come to Mount Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the judge of all men, to the spirits of righteous men made perfect, " - Hebrews 12:18-23

Have you taken a second to think about, I mean really think about, how truly awesome our experience with God through Jesus Christ really is?  Sometimes we (at least I) take it very cavalier, and approaching God in prayer, in worship, and in doing life sometimes gets routine.  Or - sometimes we (or at least I) treat God as someone familiar.  

However, if I were to somehow get hold of a DeLorean, set the time back to about 1445 B.C. and cruise that baby at 88 mph and bring someone from the nation of Israel in the wilderness "Back to the Future" to Buckhead Church, I think that he (or she) would absolutely freak out.  Not because they don't like Steve Fee (I'm sure they'd like him), but with the level of intimacy that we talk about our relationship with God.  You see, even though God had a special deal with Israel back then, they didn't actually get to approach him... and to tell you the truth, they didn't want to.  God, while they knew He cared for them, was a God to be feared... they saw what He did to Egypt and to those in their group treated him casually.  I'm sure that (s)he would say "How can you have a relationship with such a HOLY God?"  

I think that there's something to be said in that, the God of the Old Testament that displayed His power and judgement in the days of the Exodus and the Ten Commandments is the same God that we today worship.  And sometimes in our worship, we can forget that HE really is as awesome, powerful, holy, and without Jesus... unapproachable as He is.  The thing that we have that the ancient Israelites didn't have, and were hoping for (see Joel 2:28-29), we now have access to through Jesus Christ.  We can approach this previously unapproachable God and call Him "Abba" (daddy) - we can intimately share with Him our deepest needs and approach Him without fear of punishment.  We do not approach God at the Mountain anymore, but in the city of God where we are welcomed in by our Savior and can enjoy a growing relationship with God through Him.  

But let that sink in for a second... because the God of grace is also the God of the mountain.  We can enjoy a relationship with.

God!

Seriously...  I don't think I need a DeLorean to take me back in time to appreciate that.  

... so thankful for grace and a new life :-)

Cheers!

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