January 24th | Exodus 19

     Think back to last Sunday morning. Did you wake up excited to go to church, or did it feel like just another task on your to-do list? Maybe you scrambled out of bed late, herding kids and gulping coffee, or maybe you came out of obligation, not anticipation. It’s easy to slip into routine, but meeting with God is never mundane. It’s transformative.

     Exodus 19 paints a vivid picture of God meeting His people at Mount Sinai. This isn’t a casual encounter; it’s an awe-inspiring, life-changing moment. As we reflect on this passage, one truth emerges: God’s holiness is terrifying, but His grace invites us near.

Approaching the Mountain

     The Israelites camped at the foot of Mount Sinai, ready to meet the God who had delivered them from slavery. God called to Moses from the mountain, reminding him of His salvation:

"You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself" (Exodus 19:4).

      God saved them before they did anything to deserve it. He rescued them not because of their obedience, but because of His grace. Salvation came first, followed by an invitation to obey.

      This pattern is true for us today. God doesn’t wait for us to get our act together before extending His love. He rescues us while we’re still broken, and then calls us to obedience—not to earn His love, but to live in response to it.

      As God’s people, we’re called His “treasured possession” (Exodus 19:5). Imagine a king who owns everything but cherishes one jewel above all else. That’s how God sees us. He invites us to approach Him, not in fear of rejection, but in awe of His love.

Don’t Touch the Mountain

     While God invites us near, He also sets boundaries. At Sinai, He warned the people not to touch the mountain, for His holiness would consume them. The scene is dramatic: thunder, lightning, a thick cloud, and a mountain ablaze with fire. The people trembled, and rightly so.

      This tension between God’s holiness and His love is crucial. His holiness is like a nuclear force—perfect and powerful, but dangerous to sinners. It’s not that God is harsh or unkind; it’s that His perfection cannot coexist with sin.

     We might wonder, “Why can’t God just overlook sin?” But His justice demands that sin be dealt with. Left to our own devices, we’d never measure up to His standard. Even Moses, the mediator between God and the people, couldn’t fully experience God’s glory without risking death (Exodus 33:20).

But here’s the good news: while we can’t reach God’s holiness, He has made a way to reach us.

The Mediator of a New Covenant

     At Mount Sinai, Moses served as the mediator, going up and down the mountain to relay God’s words to the people. But now, we have a greater mediator—Jesus Christ.

     When Jesus died on the cross, the earth shook, just as the mountain did at Sinai. The veil in the temple, which symbolized the barrier between God and humanity, was torn in two. No longer do we need to fear God’s holiness consuming us. Through Jesus, we can approach Him with confidence.

     Hebrews 12:24 says, “Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.” 

     While Abel’s blood cried out for justice, Jesus’ blood cries out for grace. He paid the price for our sin, satisfying God’s justice and extending His mercy.

Living as God’s Treasured Possession

     So, how do we respond to a holy God who invites us near? First, we humble ourselves before Him. A healthy fear of the Lord—a recognition of His holiness—leads us to repentance.

      Next, we consecrate ourselves. For the Israelites, this meant washing their clothes and preparing their hearts. For us, it means allowing the blood of Christ to cleanse us from sin.

      Finally, we worship. Hebrews 12:22-23 reminds us that we’ve come not to Mount Sinai, but to Mount Zion—the city of the living God. Here, we join the angels and the church in joyful assembly, worshiping the One who made a way for us to stand in His presence.



Conclusion

     God is calling you to meet with Him—not out of obligation, but out of grace. He’s not waiting for you to climb the mountain by your own efforts. Instead, He’s brought the mountain to you through Jesus.

      Will you respond? Will you repent, be cleansed by His blood, and live as His treasured possession? The holy God is offering you grace today. Don’t refuse Him. Approach Him with reverence, trust in Christ, and worship Him as the King He is.

      The mountain is trembling. God is near. How will you respond?