It is not possible to claim that this post relates closely to any particular promise of God. We make that disclaimer because we are in the middle of a series on God’s promises. The only link between the church organization and Jesus is one of knowledge. You need to know for sure that the church organization is not on the same team as Jesus. Otherwise, you are likely operating outside God’s promises.
As you study the Bible (hoping we all do), you discover that God’s creations fall rather neatly into two streams. That is what the passage in Hebrews 12:18-24 is attempting to explain. The passage contrasts Mount Sinai with Mount Zion, Sinai being those who operate according to their physical senses. They remind you of the church organization, taking attendance, counting offerings, and the like. It contrasts the church organization with true believers who accept God’s word by faith. The latter is Mount Zion.
It is also one of the best pictures of the difference between the church organization and Jesus. The contrast continues throughout the Bible: Ishmael and Isaac; Cain and Abel; the kings of Israel versus those in Judah; Esau and Jacob. We could go on and on, but we must end in Jesus. After all, Jesus is the beginning and the end of all things, the author and finisher of our faith.
This contrast between the church organization and Jesus jumps to mind when you read the account of Jesus’s crucifixion. On the one hand, you had Jesus shining the light of God on the darkness of the world. Meanwhile, Judas Iscariot represented and aligned with Caiaphas, the high priest. He led the killers to Jesus for money.
The Church Organization And Jesus Are On Different Teams
Now think, if the church organization and Jesus were the same, would the plot to kill him originate from the temple? Perhaps you now begin to see there is a difference between Christ and the church organization. In that case, we only need to point out stories in which the difference is made very clear.
Take the interaction between Ellisha and Gehazi. As I studied the passage recently, I saw several similarities between Elisha and Jesus. That got me thinking about the other man in the picture, and it hit me that Gehazi was like Judas Iscariot. Elisha constantly thought of the good of others, while Gehazi concerned himself with Gehazi, just like Judas.
That got me thinking of the various pairs of humanity from Genesis to Revelation. Let me tell you, the regularity of the contrast between Mount Sinai and Mount Zion blew my mind. You are either Sinai (for self) or Zion (for God). There is no third stream of humanity, just the church organization and Jesus. Which am I? And which are you?
We Could Be on The Jesus Team
Hopefully, you know your scriptures enough to realize the church organization group never ended well. Think of Cain, or Ishmael. How about Gehazi, who might have had double the anointing of Elisha if he had been on the Jesus side? Imagine the power we could wield if we were truly on the Jesus team.
Sadly, the church organization gets in the way of our following Jesus. What? Are the church organization and Jesus not the same? If you still have any questions, go back and read the above section again. You have to either follow Jesus or follow your church organization. You cannot have both. Please do not hear me wrong. You can follow Jesus and worship in a church organization.
That is what most believers do, but Jesus knew the dangers of doing that long before you arrived on the scene. He prophesied that they would throw you out of their churches if you carry Jesus. They might even think they do God a service when they persecute you. Why else do you think Paul declared that all who would live Godly would suffer persecution?
All these are the signs of the difference between the church organization and Jesus. But do not let any of it bother you. With Jesus, you are going to a better place, where there is no sorrow or persecution. But unless you see the difference between the church organization and Jesus, you might be sorrowful. You might think there was something wrong with you. Not at all. Keep your hand in Jesus’s hand, and you will land in Heaven at the right time.
Maranatha!
