In the journey of faith, the Bible often contrasts Israel’s experience at Mount Sinai with the spiritual reality of Mount Zion. Both mountains have profound significance for humanity’s relationship with God, especially in understanding the old and new covenants. Mount Sinai is the place where God gave the law to Israel. The experience on this mountain was filled with both splendor and terror, as described in Exodus 19:10-25. God came with thunder, lightning, a thick cloud, an earthquake, and a long blast of the trumpet. The mountain was fenced off to keep people from coming near, and even animals that touched the mountain were stoned. Of course, such conditions made the people afraid. Even Moses, the courageous leader, admitted that he was “extremely afraid and trembling” (Hebrews 12:21; Deuteronomy 9:19). However, this fear did not produce genuine holiness or a change of heart. Just 40 days after this experience, the Israelites worshipped the golden calf, forgetting all of God’s goodness. The experience at Mount Sinai ultimately becomes a symbol of the harsh law and man’s inability to meet God’s standards through his own efforts. The law can only point out sin, but it cannot change the heart or bring true salvation.

In contrast, the spiritual experience at Mount Zion speaks of God’s grace revealed through Jesus Christ. In verses 22-24, Mount Zion is described as the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, where an innumerable host of angels gathers with the congregation of the firstborn whose names are written in heaven. Here, Jesus is the Mediator of the new covenant, and His blood speaks better than the blood of Abel. Mount Zion is not about fear, but about invitation. If Mount Sinai was a place of separation and unworthiness, Mount Zion is a place of grace and nearness. Through Jesus, all people are invited to draw near to God. This new covenant is not based on man’s efforts to fulfill the law, but on faith and acceptance of Jesus’ redemptive work. The writer to the Hebrews goes on to give a stern warning that the people should not reject the One who speaks from Mount Zion. If Israel who rejected God's voice at Mount Sinai did not escape punishment, then rejecting God's grace at Mount Zion has far greater consequences.

Bible friends, Mount Sinai and Mount Zion teach us that the life of faith is not about human efforts to reach God, but about God's grace that comes to us through Jesus Christ. The choice between these two mountains is a symbol of the choice between law and grace, separation and closeness, fear and hope. Which one do we want to uphold in our lives? May the grace of Christ make us aware to always uphold God's grace in this life and maintain a whole and intimate relationship with God.