Tag: Moses and Christ
Moses and Christ!
Scripture reading for June 9th: Acts 7:1-29
Luke next records the story of one of the first deacons. Stephen was full of faith and the Holy Spirit and used in miraculous signs and wonders. You would think that this would make him a popular preacher, but there were those religious Jews that did not appreciate his message or miracles. They stirred up some people to testify falsely that he was speaking blasphemy against Moses and God. (Acts 6:11-14) They brought him before the Sanhedrin for questioning. As they looked at him, Stephen’s face took on the characteristics of an angel.
When asked if he were guilty of the charges, Stephen began to speak under the anointing of the Holy Spirit to the elders and leaders he was standing before. He spoke about the Holy Scriptures that Moses had written, showing his knowledge and respect for that written record. He began in Genesis with Abraham and God’s call and quickly took them through the history of the Jewish people up to the time of Moses.
As Stephen mentioned the story of Joseph, he emphasized how the patriarchs were jealous of him and sold him into slavery. Stephen was trying to get these religious leaders to see that their own jealousy of God’s plan and vision through Christ was a problem. (Acts 7:9-10) God raised Joseph up to be ruler over Egypt and the one who would save Israel and the world from a great famine, but he was rejected by his people.
Moses was also raised up by the hand of God and raised in Pharaoh’s household. He was a Jew but given all the wisdom of the Egyptians. At forty years of age, he saw an Israelite being mistreated by an Egyptian and killed him. Moses was surprised to learn that his act was not appreciated by the Israelites! He fled to Midian for forty years and tended sheep while the vision to deliver God’s people went dormant. (Acts 7:20-29)
God was trying to speak to these Jews who were jealous of the power of this follower of Jesus. He was showing them that the Jews had a history of missing what God was doing. He wanted them to listen and learn from the past. These Old Testament stories showed truth. Are you open to learn today? Are you reading God’s word with a teachable heart? God is speaking today!
Sunday Rest and Reflection–Moses and Christ!
When we started our journey through the Bible, I began with Luke 24. The resurrected Jesus taught his disciples on the road to Emmaus and again in the room in Jerusalem everything concerning himself in the Law and the Prophets. (Luke 24:27, 44) The Law refers to these Books of Moses that we have been reading. As we take time to rest today, let’s think about these Books in relation to what they reveal about Jesus Christ.
First, Moses himself was a picture of Christ. Moses was a prophet, a priest, a servant, a shepherd, a mediator, and a deliverer. We find that Jesus is the final Word from God and holds the office of prophet and priest, as well as king (which Moses was not). Jesus was a servant, (Matthew 12:18) the Good Shepherd, (John 10:11-14) the only mediator between God and man (1Timothy 2:5) , and our deliverer (1Thessalonians 1:10)! In his character description, Moses was the meekest of men. (Numbers 12:3) Jesus was humble of heart as well. (Matthew 11:28-30) Moses was faithful and obedient as was Jesus Christ. Moses was powerful in word and deed (Acts 7:22) and Jesus certainly was!
In the account of Moses’ early life, he was a baby in Egypt and had to escape Pharaoh’s murder attempt. Jesus, as a baby, was taken to Egypt to escape Herod’s murder attempt. Both were providentially cared for by God to survive and fulfill their mission of deliverance! Moses was rejected by his brothers and as a result obtained a Gentile bride while on the back side of the desert. Jesus was rejected by his brothers and also has a Gentile bride, the Church! Moses delivered God’s people from the death angel by the blood of a passover lamb. Jesus delivered God’s people from death by his own blood spilled on the cross! Moses was eventually accepted by his brothers. Jesus will be when he comes again! Moses led the people and fed the people and mediated their concerns. Jesus Christ is our King, provider and intercessor!
Take time today to think of some other aspects of our Lord that he has revealed to you as you have read these Books of Moses! May your heart burn with love for Jesus! Have a blessed day! Pastor John