THINGS THAT ARE ABOVE Jesus is not a mediator like Moses. The Law was "ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator," who was Moses (Gal 3:19). Initially, Moses conveyed the words and terms of the covenant, reading it "in the audience of the people" (Ex 24:7). One of his primary mediatorial functions was keeping the wrath of God from the people. He stood in their behalf, pleading that the Lord NOT destroy them (Ex 32:10-14; Num 14:11-20; 16:20-22; 21:7; Deut 9:18-19). In the case of Moses, he stood between a gracious God and a recalcitrant and disobedient people. -- Tomorrow:
"If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory" (Col 3:1-4)
Devotion 9 of 25
However, Jesus is not that kind of Mediator and Intercessor. He is not merely keeping the wrath from the people. Rather, He is bringing the benefits of the covenant to the people, who themselves have been reconciled to God through Him. His mediation and intercession are primarily in order to confer blessing and benefit upon those who are His brethren – those who have been born again, and made "partakers" of Himself (Heb 3:14).
THINGS THAT ARE ABOVE
Therefore, things that are above are "things" Jesus is presently mediating, or bringing to the people.
THE NEW COVENANT ITSELF
In the case of the New Covenant itself, we are apprised of several of its key factors.
1. God's laws are put into the mind (Heb 8:10a).
2. God's laws are written in the heart (Heb 8:10b).
3. All of the covenantal people know the Lord (Heb 8:11).
4. God is merciful to their unrighteousnesses (Heb 8:12a).
5. God remembers their sins and iniquities no more (Heb 8:12b).
Jesus is presently ministering these realities. Through His Holy Spirit He is writing God's laws upon the hearts of His people, and putting them into their minds. That is, He is making them of one accord with those laws, so that they can see the sense of them, love them, and fulfill "the righteousness of the Law" (Rom 8:4). He is expounding the Father to us – showing Him to us. One of His fundamental ministries is giving us "an understanding, that we may know Him that is true" (1 John 5:20). Through His own blood, He is also cleansing our conscience, convincing us that God is no longer holding our sins again us, but has rather extended His mercy to us. In His present ministry, Jesus is persuading us that God no longer remembers our sins and iniquities. He is mediating the New Covenant gloriously and effectively.
SOME OF THE "THINGS"
The "things" to be sought – things Jesus is ministering to us – are very real and very necessary. While time and space do not allow for an exhaustive listing of these "things," a sampling of them will confirm their value and indispensability.
1. The purging of the conscience (Heb 9:14).
2. Righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit (Rom 14:17).
3. Wisdom (James 3:17).
4. An abounding hope (Rom 15:13; Heb 6:19).
5. Christ's own peace (John 14:27).
6. Christ's own joy (John 15:11).
7. Grace and peace (Rom 1:7).
8. The love of God which is in Christ Jesus (Rom 8:39).
9. Peace and love with faith (Eph 6:23).
10. Grace, mercy, and peace (1 Tim 1:2).
11. An understanding of God (1 John 5:20).
12. Understanding in all things (2 Tim 2:7).
13. Times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord (Acts 3:19).
14. The spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of God (Eph 1:17).
15. Your reward which is in heaven (Matt 5:12).
16. Our "house which is from heaven" – our resurrection body (2 Cor 5:2).
17. The hope laid up for us in heaven (Col 1:5).
18. A better and an enduring substance (Heb 10:34).
19. In inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, that does not fade away (1 Pet 1:4).
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, I thank You for a Mediator that brings to us the things You want us to have – things that pertain to life and godliness.