The Old and the New

The writer of Hebrews uses many allusions in writing the book. Here, the reference is to Mount Sinai, the place where the law was given to Moses and hence to Israel. Sinai, like the law given there, inspired fear and awe, even in the heart of a man like Moses. The law and the mountain underlined the holiness of God and in doing so emphasized the sinfulness of humankind.

However, the author of Hebrews does not dwell on this point. The writer emphasizes that believers have in a sense come to a new Sinai by their having been placed by God under a new covenant, one achieved by Jesus and the blood of his sacrifice. Keeping in mind that the law was necessary to salvation, the writer attempts to convince his readers that life under the new covenant is superior to life under the old covenant, namely the law. We are cautioned that under this new covenant we are to pursue a life of holiness, offering God worship which is worthy of God’s love for us. Christ’s blood, the blood of the last victim, blood which pleads for forgiveness, is superior to the blood of Abel, the first victim, because Abel’s blood pleaded only for vengeance.

God of the new covenant, accept our worship through the blood of Jesus. Amen. — AEA