Finding Christ in the Old Testament - Exodus 19

Finding Christ in the Old Testament
Exodus 19:1–25

At Mount Sinai, the LORD reveals Himself with thunder, lightning, cloud, and trumpet blast. Israel is commanded to consecrate themselves and keep their distance, for God is holy. The people tremble at His presence. Yet the LORD’s purpose is gracious: He calls Israel His "treasured possession" and promises that they shall be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation (Exodus 19:5–6). This covenant points to the greater covenant to come through Christ, who fulfills the Law, removes fear, and makes His people holy not by distance but by His indwelling Spirit. The terrifying glory of Sinai prefigures the majesty of Christ at His Second Coming, but also highlights the tenderness of Christ's first coming, where He approached sinners not with terror but with mercy. In Christ, the fearful distance between God and man is bridged, and we are brought near.

Devotion
Christ fulfills the covenant, grants us access to the holy God, and makes us a kingdom of priests to serve Him in everlasting righteousness, innocence, and blessedness.

New Testament Verse
Hebrews 12:18, 22 (ESV)
"For you have not come to what may be touched, a blazing fire and darkness and gloom and a tempest... But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem."

Collect
Almighty and Everlasting God, who appeared to Your people with fearsome majesty on Mount Sinai and now calls us through Christ to Mount Zion in grace, grant that we may be sanctified in truth, made priests to serve You in righteousness, and be brought at last to Your heavenly dwelling; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever, unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Hymn Verse
The law of God is good and wise
And sets His will before our eyes,
Shows us the way of righteousness,
And dooms to death when we transgress.
— LSB 579:1, The Law of God Is Good and Wise

Glory be to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, One God, Now and Forever, Unto the Ages of Ages, AMEN!