16 May 2010
Psalm 66, 67; Exod. 3:1-12; Heb. 12:18-29; Luke 10:17-24

We see a change in Moses from the brash younger man who charged in to save the Israelites. This Moses, after years of tending sheep, has one simple question for the Lord, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” The answer he receives in reply is that the Lord will be with him and will bring him back to this place. Moses has learned an important lesson along the way, if the Lord doesn’t go with you, don’t go. He is now ready to lead the people because he won’t be doing it from strength but from weakness and dependence on the Lord. He knows that on his own he will fail in the work, but with the Lord nothing is impossible.

The disciples have their first experience of the Holy Spirit working in them. They begin to see the possibilities, a foretaste of what is to come in their lives. It is as though Jesus was a mother of baby birds allowing them to test their wings a bit as they grow into a new way of being, knowing that one day they will indeed be doing the work themselves. He is quick to point them from potential pride and wrong focus, telling them to rejoice in salvation. Jesus’ joy matches the disciples it seems as He exults in their success, and gives all the glory to the Father. Do we have the attitude of joy when someone else is used in ministry?

In Jesus we are allowed to come near to God in a way that the people were not when they came to the mountain in fulfillment of the promise God made to Moses in our first reading today. That first day God drew Moses to the mountain with the burning bush and yet warned him to take off his shoes as this was holy ground. In Exodus 19 when they return to that place we see exactly what is described here in verses 18-20 of this reading. Jesus beckons us to Himself and we need not fear for He has not called us to judge us but to a covenant relationship with Him. Nonetheless, the holiness and righteousness of God is not diminished and we must indeed understand that judgment is part of the equation, we cannot enter lightly into His presence, we must come at the bidding of Jesus and washed in His blood.

Shout for joy to God, all the earth;
sing the glory of his name;
give to him glorious praise!
Say to God, "How awesome are your deeds!
So great is your power that your enemies come cringing to you.
All the earth worships you
and sings praises to you;
they sing praises to your name."