Hebrews 12:25–29 “Gratitude and Reverence”

Hebrews 12:25-29 NIV

Suggested Praise Songs:

• Build My Life – Pat Barrett
• Chris Tomlin – Holy Forever
• All Sons & Daughters – Great Are You Lord

Resources for Family Worship (with Children):

• Everyday Armor | Elementary | Hold up the Shield of Faith – Lesson for Children
• Every Move I Make I Make In You – Song for Kids
• Forever Love, Forever God | Cross Culture Thailand VBS Music Video | Group Publishing – Song for Kids
• Never Let Go Of Me | Shipwrecked VBS | Outback Rock VBS | Group Publishing – Song for Kids
• Discussion Questions for Children & Youth arelocated in the section after Explanation, Meditation, and Prayer (at the end of this email/blog).

Explanation:

After emphasizing that believers have already come to the Kingdom of God through Jesus Christ, the author exhorts, “See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks” (v. 25). “Him who speaks” refers to the Holy Spirit, who is now speaking to the readers. The author again turns back to the time of Moses, reminding them of the punishment received by those who disobeyed God’s word in the wilderness. “The one who warned them” refers to Moses. If such punishment was given for rejecting a man’s word, then it is certain that rejecting the One who warns from heaven will bring even more severe consequences.

When God appeared at Mount Sinai, the earth shook (Exodus 19:18). But He declared that when He appears again at the end, He will “shake not only the earth but also the heavens” (v. 26). This was already foretold through the prophet Haggai (Haggai 2:6, 21). The “things that can be shaken” (v. 27) refer to the material world, while the “things that cannot be shaken” point to the eternal Kingdom of God. The phrase “remove” is closer to the intended meaning than “destroy.” The Greek word metathesis can be translated as either “removal” or “change.” On the last day, the material world will not be annihilated but transformed. Paul described this transformation as “what is mortal being swallowed up by life” (2 Corinthians 5:4), and John, through a vision, heard the Lord say, “See, I am making everything new” (Revelation 21:5).

Believers belong to this “kingdom that cannot be shaken” (v. 28). It’s worth noting that the verb is in the present tense— “we are receiving”—rather than the future tense— “we will receive.” The salvation believers experience now will be fully completed on the last day. Knowing this, our first response should be gratitude. And if that gratitude is sincere, we should live in a way worthy of that grace. This is why the author exhorts, “Let us worship God acceptably with reverence and awe.” The Greek nouns translated as “reverence” and “awe” are synonyms used together to emphasize the fear of the Lord. For the God who has granted us the grace of salvation through Jesus Christ is also “a consuming fire” (v. 29).

Meditation:

The author of Hebrews frequently contrasts “what can be shaken” with “what cannot be shaken,” “what is made by hands” with “what is not made by hands,” “what is perishable” with “what is imperishable,” and “what is seen” with “what is unseen.” Because of this pattern, some claim that the author of Hebrews presents the gospel of Jesus Christ through a form of Platonic dualism. They argue that he adopts a worldview in which what is visible is merely an illusion, and only what is invisible is eternal.

There is room for such misunderstanding. This is because Scripture affirms not only the existence of “flesh,” “earth,” and “visible things,” but also of “soul,” “heaven,” and “the unseen world.” It teaches that the material world is finite, while the Kingdom of God is eternal. In that sense, the biblical worldview can seem dualistic. However, Scripture also declares that the flesh, the earth, and the visible world are the handiwork of God. Moreover, it teaches that on the last day, the physical world will be swallowed up by the spiritual. In other words, the physical world is not meant for disposal, but for transformation. The physical world we now live in will be transformed into the new heaven and new earth, and believers will participate in the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

To believe means to belong to that eternal Kingdom. It means living on this earth with the hope that, on the last day, we will be swallowed up together with the physical world into God’s eternal Kingdom. Knowing this, it is right for us to rejoice and give thanks for our present state. The joy and gratitude we have for the grace of salvation sharpen our reverence for God. This is because we understand how great that grace is—and because we also understand how dreadful the consequences are if we fall away from it.

Prayer:

Lord, we thank You for giving us the grace to belong to the “kingdom that cannot be shaken.” As we remember this grace, fill us always with joy and gratitude. Help us also to live holy lives with reverence and awe. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Discussion Questions for Children & Youth:

Key Point: God has given us a place in His unshakable Kingdom through Jesus. Even though everything in the world can change or fall apart, God’s Kingdom and His love will never be shaken. When we truly understand this, our hearts will be filled with joy, gratitude, and a deep respect for God. We are invited to live with thankful hearts and holy lives as people of God’s forever Kingdom.

• For Preschool-Elementary
  • Have you ever seen something shake or fall down (like a tower of blocks)?
    → What does it mean that God’s Kingdom can never fall down
  • What in your life feels shaky or uncertain right now?
    → How does it help to know that God’s Kingdom will never shake?
  • Why do you think it’s important to be thankful to God and to respect Him?
• For Youth
  • Hebrews says we “belong to a kingdom that cannot be shaken.” What do you think that means for how we live now?
  • How do joy and gratitude connect with living a “holy life”? Can you think of an example from your own life or someone you admire?
  • How do you think “fear of the Lord” differs from being scared of God? Why might it be important for our faith?