In this passage I am commanded (as are all of God’s children) to strive for a peaceful and holy life. How am I doing at that? Not too well, I suspect. I hope I am reading it right that the pursuit is the important thing, at least in this life.

Do Not Reject God’s Warning

12:14 Pursue peace with everyone, and holiness, for without it no one will see the Lord. 12:15 See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God, that no one be like a bitter root springing up and causing trouble, and through him many become defiled. 12:16 And see to it that no one becomes an immoral or godless person like Esau, who sold his own birthright for a single meal. 12:17 For you know that later when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no opportunity for repentance, although he sought the blessing with tears. 12:18 For you have not come to something that can be touched, to a burning fire and darkness and gloom and a whirlwind 12:19 and the blast of a trumpet and a voice uttering words such that those who heard begged to hear no more. 12:20 For they could not bear what was commanded: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned.” 12:21 In fact, the scene was so terrifying that Moses said, “I shudder with fear.” 12:22 But you have come to Mount Zion, the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels, to the assembly 12:23 and congregation of the firstborn, who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous, who have been made perfect, 12:24 and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks of something better than Abel’s does.

I find myself in the role of church leader and teacher. The risk that my words and actions may become “a bitter root springing up and causing trouble” is an ever-present awareness. In business, risk is something to be managed, but this risk is much more personal, and I guess I might say that my risk management program consists of knowing I am but a small part of a vast multitude who have gone before me. I have come to Zion.

I am still pondering the many implications of the last three verses. While I am parsing these words, I can at least know that “something better” lies ahead.

Dave

-sdg-