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 to death.” The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, “I am trembling with fear.” But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. 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, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the s nun. prinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks. If they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven? At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.” The words “once more” indicate the removing of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our “God is a consuming fire.”
—Hebrews 12:18-29

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The Two Mountains
by Jennifer A. Kane

Fear  |  Joy
I climbed the mount of trembling stone  |  I danced upon the hill of praise
Smoke curled in silence, thick and cold | Morning sang in golden breath
A voice like thunder cracked the sky  |  A whisper wrapped in gentle peace
My soul drew back, afraid to breathe  |  My heart leapt forward, drawn to grace
Law etched on tablets, hard and high  |  Love etched on hearts, soft and low
The ground below did quake with fear  |  The sky above rained joy like dew
I saw the veil, heavy with dread     |  I saw it torn, a banner raised
Shadows pressed with solemn weight  |  Light danced, a feast prepared
A mountain fenced with sacred wrath  |  A hill where mercy overflows
I turned to flee from holy fire      |  I ran into the risen arms.

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Scripture: Hebrews 12:18-29

There are two mountains that symbolize the journey of the human soul in its encounter with God: Mount Sinai, the mountain of fear, and Mount Zion, the mountain of joy.

Mount Sinai represents humanity’s encounter with the holiness and justice of God under the Old Covenant. It was a place of trembling — fire, smoke, trumpet blasts, and divine warnings. So terrifying was the scene that even Moses said, “I am exceedingly afraid and trembling.” It was holiness without a Mediator close at hand. Law without grace. Command without comfort. Even though God revealed Himself, He was unapproachable — not out of cruelty, but to impress upon His people the seriousness of sin and the weight of divine majesty.

And yet, for all that fear, the hearts of the people were not changed. They trembled in God’s presence, but only 40 days later they danced before a golden calf.

Fear alone cannot transform the human heart.

But now… we have come to Mount Zion.

Mount Zion is not about exclusion but invitation. It is the mountain of joy, of grace, and of access. Here, we see the city of the Living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, filled with angels rejoicing, and with the saints — past and present — united in worship. Here is Jesus, our Mediator, and His blood that “speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.” Where Abel’s blood cried out for justice, Jesus’ blood cries out mercy. Forgiveness. Reconciliation.

Where Sinai warned, Zion welcomes.
Where Sinai condemned, Zion restores.
Where Sinai said, “Keep back,” Zion says, “Draw near.”

And yet, the passage doesn’t end there. It warns us: do not refuse Him who speaks now. God is still a consuming fire. Grace does not abolish awe. Zion may be a mountain of joy, but it is not casual joy. It is reverent, purified, unshakable joy — a kingdom that cannot be moved.

So what do we do?

We receive. We receive the unshakable kingdom.
We serve. We serve God with reverence and joy.
We listen. We listen to the One who speaks not only from a mountain, but from heaven itself.
We stand firm. For all that is not rooted in Christ will be shaken — and only what is eternal will remain.

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Father God, I thank You that I have not come to the mountain of fear, but to the mountain of joy — to Jesus, my Mediator. Let me serve You not in terror but in reverent love. Shake loose from my life anything that cannot endure, and plant my feet firmly in Your eternal, unshakable kingdom. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

April 9 2025