Hebrews 12:18-24
On August 24, 410, Alaric and his goths, Germanic barbarians from the north, sacked Rome. The fall of the imperial city sent shock waves around the Mediterranean. It seemed the world could never be the same again. The Biblical scholar Jerome summed up the feelings of many when he wrote, “My voice sticks in my throat; and, as I dictate, sobs choke my utterance. The city which had taken the whole world was itself taken...”
Afterward, pagans blamed Christian virtues of humility and non-resistance for the debacle. They also said the fall of Rome proved Christianity false because Christians had died alongside pagans. Stung by such allegations, Augustine, bishop of Hippo in North Africa, responded by writing his masterpiece, The City of God and the City of Man. Augustine’s book broke new ground. It was the world’s first history showing that events have purpose and final destiny.
As he saw it, the sack of Rome was but an episode in a great war between God’s kingdom and humanity’s—the rival cities of God and man. It was a war which would last until the end of the world. God’s city consisted of those who love him and his things. That such a city was not as clearly defined now as it should be, he wrote, was because many who claim to be Christians are not. Humanity’s city was the realm of those who hate God and love their appetites.
Augustine’s book, The City of God, is a challenge to human society to choose which city it wishes to be a part of, and he sees his task as clearly marking out the parameters of each choice. In our passage this week, the writer of Hebrews contrasts two mountains and two cities. Urging his readers – some of whom were looking back – to not lose heart, he portrays the Mount of Sinai in all its terror and then writes: ‘But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God…’ (v22).
Join us this week as we compare these two Mountains. Which have you chosen? Will you choose the City of God? Will you look back to the city of man? There are two cities with two loves. As Richard Phillips reminds us, “The City of Man is based on the love of self, which means enmity to God; the City of God is built on love of God in the place of self-love. In this world, God’s city appears weak and lowly, but there she is, presented to our faith, high upon the mount of God, wreathed in glory.’ Will you choose the mountain of grace?
I look forward to worshiping our King with you this coming Lord’s Day.
By His Grace,
Pastor Wayne
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