Ye are come unto mount Zion … and to Jesus, the mediator of the new covenant” Hebrews 12:22-24 KJV
You have come to Mount Zion … and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant…” Hebrews 12:22-24 NASB
The law had a mediator, Moses (Gal 3:19). He received the law through the ministration of angels, and he conveyed that law to the people of God. The law was given through Moses. In contrast, grace and truth were not “given” through Christ, He came and displayed grace and truth. He came and made grace available to humanity. The role of mediator did not “cost” Moses anything. He received the law and he conveyed it.
Some might say that Moses spent forty days in the mount without eating; he must have endured some hardship. But that pales before Calvary. Moses enjoyed the presence of God during that time. Intimate fellowship with God was involved in receiving the law. Moses saw the God of Israel on that occasion (Ex 24). But the Mediator of our covenant did not know forty days of fellowship with God; He experienced the equivalent of an eternity of separation and interruption in the enjoyment of that fellowship. He could say in contrast, “Why hidest Thou Thy face from Me? (Ps 88:14).
Moses’ face shone coming down from the mount (2 Cor 3:7) after his time with God. The face of our Mediator was marked by spittle and bruising. Men did not look upon Him in awe and wonder; they laughed Him to scorn.
Moses had to veil his face because of the fading glory linked with the law. Men covered the face of the Lord Jesus, mocking His role as prophet. As each day passed, the glory on the face of Moses faded. Though the face of the Lord Jesus at Calvary was marred, in resurrection, all the glory of God is seen in His face and will be reflected eternally; it will never fade.
Have you ever considered all that has come to you through this Mediator? Every blessing of the new covenant is ours through Him. Try listing some of the blessings linked with our salvation. You may think it a simple task. In reality, you will reach thirty or more and find yourself still discovering new blessings. These include forgiveness, redemption, regeneration, sonship, sealing, “security in Christ,” just to begin the list. We are, according to this same portion in Hebrews 12, part of the Church of “firstborn one” (v 23). The writer has just told us of the sad plight of a firstborn, Esau, who lost everything (12:16, 17). In contrast, each one of us has a full inheritance, the double portion of the firstborn! Our Mediator has secured all for us.
Consider
Look through Hebrews and notice the expressions used for the new covenant: new, second, better, everlasting.