Zion - The City Of The Living God

"You have approached Mount Zion."
(Hebrews 12:22)

Now, there are two mountains, one is Mount Sinai the other is Mount Zion. Mount Sinai is where Moses received the law or the ‘Torah’ from God. That scene was so frightful that Moses himself trembled with fear. What is Mount Zion? The Psalmist says, ‘it is the place where God has installed His king’ – the Messiah (Psalm 2:6). The author of the Letter to the Hebrews calls Zion ‘the city of the living God’ (Hebrews 12:22).

In modern day Jerusalem, Mount Zion is clearly visible after the structural elevation. It lies on the west side of the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem. Jewish Scripture applies the word ‘Mount Zion’ to the ‘Temple Mount’ and to the south of the temple is Golgotha. At the Temple Mount, the priests served as mediators between God and the people in their role of offering sacrifices to God. Zion is used figuratively for Israel as the people of God (Isaiah 60:14). The meaning of Zion in the New Testament, is God's spiritual kingdom, the heavenly Jerusalem (Hebrews 12:22; Revelation 14:1). Peter refers to Christ as the Cornerstone of Zion: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in Him will never be put to shame” (1 Peter 2:6).

What happened at Zion? Jesus was crucified. Yes, Golgotha and Calvary is the same place. When you come to Mount Zion, you come to Jesus, the mediator of the new covenant. (v.24) He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Sinai represents the law that kills, but Mount Zion represents the Cross-, which saves.

Jesus’ saving work at Calvary created all Grace for humankind to be saved. He invites each one of us to have a personal relationship with God. We can now approach the throne of Grace with joy, warmth and real companionship with the One who holds the keys to Heaven and Hades. He is the same awe-inspiring God who promised to wipe away every tear from our eyes. Yet, He is the One who stands knocking at the door of our hearts, are we going to let him in? (Revelation 3:20) Can we spend sometime with Him in prayer and quietness, hearing what He has to say? Yes, we have come to Mount Zion, as privileged guest of the King of kings, now let us value our calling.

“Lord, I thank You for making me a citizen of heaven and placing me with Your saints and angels. I don’t deserve the honour you bestow upon me, it’s only Your Grace that can see me through.”