Exodus 20:18-21 – We need Christ, our perfect mediator

The giving of the law was attended to by an awesome sight. Just imagine the thunder and lightning, smoke and fire, the blasting sound of the trumpet and the quaking of the mountain. It must have whipped up a terrifying sight and the people were said to be trembling as they stood at a distance. We are talking about the giving of the law. Two things become clear as we think about that scene. Firstly, it speaks of the sacredness, holiness and purity of God, the law-giver. Secondly, it tells us that it is a fearful thing to fall into His hand in judgement. If the giving of it was attended to by such fearsome sight, just imagine what it would be like on the judgement day.

Just the thought of not being able to live up to the demands of the law generates fear, let alone failing it. The sheer thought of it, without the coming of Christ, would cause panic, and it did for the people standing at the foot of Mount Sinai. Wisely they asked Moses to be their mediator between God and them. They would rather talk to Moses than to hear directly from God. Thankfully, just as they had a mediator in Moses, we have one in Christ Jesus. First Timothy 2:5-6 tell us, “For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time.” He is a better mediator who has granted grace upon grace. Hence, thinking of Judgement Day is no longer a terrifying thought. We thank God for His grace.

We need to know that there is something about the giving of the law. It was given not only to elicit outward actions but to build inner attitudes. From the law, we can see God making a total claim on every aspect of our life. As it was to the Israelites then, so also is God making a claim of our lives today. He not only wants our worship, our time, our relationship, both with Him and others, but He also wants our possession, our bodies, our speech and even our desires. God wants our total allegiance to Him. It is foolhardy not to give all that we are to Him in total abandonment and sweet surrender.  

Exodus 20:20 provides the reasons why God gave the law. The exact words are “Do not be afraid; for God has come in order to test you, and in order that the fear of Him may remain with you, so that you may not sin.” Contain in this one verse we can see three purposes for why the law was given. The first is to warn of the punishment for sin. Here Moses made it clear the law and the punishment for those who break it would act as a deterrent from a life of sin. Secondly, the law is the means by which our sin is revealed demonstrating that we cannot live up to the perfect standard of God. Thirdly, the law shows us how needful we are of God’s grace. Through it, we know that without the grace of God, we will not be able to conduct our lives in such a way that will glorify Him.  The fear of the Lord is what will keep us from sinning. 

Gratefully, we thank God for Jesus Christ who is the fulfilment of the law. In Him and what He had done for us, we know the demands of the law are met perfectly. What a privilege to call Him our Lord and King. John 1: 17 says “For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ.” And from Christ, we have received grace upon grace. What a pleasure and delight! Thank God that it’s not in the keeping of the law that will save us but in appropriating what Christ has done for us at Calvary. And today we keep the law not to be saved but to glorify the Lord. If we truly love Him, it will translate into obeying His commandments.