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Day 11, (Monday) – “The Second Moses”

We come back to the Lenten week, pausing to worship our Resurrected Savior on Sunday.  Previously we looked at the account of the Transfiguration of Christ on the mountaintop.  Jesus took Peter, James, and John to the top of the mountain (probably Mt. Tabor), where he was “metamorphoō”, “changed”, into the glorious manifestation of his divine being.  The disciples witnessed Jesus as he had been for all eternity, and as he would be after his resurrection and ascension to heaven. 

In that encounter, two Old Testament heroes of the faith appeared alongside Jesus. Moses and Elijah represented the Law and the Prophets.  Along with Abraham and King David, no greater figures from the Old Testament can stand equal to their stature.  They were great men of faith whom God used to accomplish His great purposes in the nation of Israel. 

Moses was born and raised in Pharaoh’s household, in privilege, with great learning, while the nation of His people was mistreated as slaves.  The writer of the Book of Hebrews says of Moses' faith:

23 By faith Moses was hidden by his parents for three months after his birth, because they saw that the child was beautiful; and they were not afraid of the king’s edict. 24 By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called a son of Pharaoh’s daughter, 25 choosing rather to share ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. 26 He considered abuse suffered for the Christ to be greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking ahead to the reward. 27 By faith he left Egypt, unafraid of the king’s anger; for he persevered as though he saw him who is invisible. 28 By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch the firstborn of Israel” (Heb 11:23–28). 

Moses led the nation out of Egypt through God’s marvelous works against the Egyptians. Then Moses led the people of Israel into the desert of Sinai, where God gave to them the Law that would serve to define their nation as “the people of God”.  The Law served the nation and the Ten Commandments that God gave to them have lasted through the millennium to define the nation’s laws, including our country. 

Yet, Moses was not the culmination of God’s revelation, he was merely the beginner of God’s revelation of how the people of God would gain their identity and live that identity out for God.  Thus, Jesus, on the mount of Transfiguration, was met by Moses and Elijah to signify that these two Old Testament heroes were not the end of God’s revelation, but stood as markers pointing to Jesus. 

John Chrysostom was a Bishop in Constantinople during the late 4th and early 5th century A.D.  John of Antioch was the name he was known by during his life.  A native of Antioch, where the name Christian was first given to the followers of Jesus, Chrysostom was elected Patriarch of Constantinople in AD 398.  He grew in his office to become one of the most articulate and influential preachers of the early Christian church. He was an eloquent and uncompromising preacher who was so extraordinary that 150 years after his death, he was given the surname Chrysostom, meaning “the golden mouth” or “the golden tongue.” One of his teachings, called a “Catechesis” because it was used to teach those who were coming into the Church as converts, was about Christ Jesus and how he fulfilled the life of Moses, and pointed the way toward the Church.

From the Catechesis by Saint John Chrysostom, bishop – “Christ and Moses”

The Israelites witnessed marvels; you also will witness marvels, greater and more splendid than those which accompanied them on their departure from Egypt. You did not see Pharaoh drowned with his armies, but you have seen the devil with his weapons overcome by the waters of baptism. The Israelites passed through the sea; you have passed from death to life. They were delivered from the Egyptians; you have been delivered from the powers of darkness. The Israelites were freed from slavery to a pagan people; you have been freed from the much greater slavery to sin.

Do you need another argument to show that the gifts you have received are greater than theirs? The Israelites could not look on the face of Moses in glory, though he was their fellow servant and kinsman. But you have seen the face of Christ in his glory...

In those days Christ was present to the Israelites as he followed them, but he is present to us in a much deeper sense. The Lord was with them because of the favor he showed to Moses; now he is with us not simply because of Moses but also because of your obedience. After Egypt they dwelt in desert places; after your departure, you will dwell in heaven. Their great leader and commander was Moses; we have a new Moses, God himself, as our leader and commander.

What distinguished the first Moses? Moses, Scripture tells us, was more gentle than all who dwelt upon the earth. We can rightly say the same of the new Moses, for there was with him the very Spirit of gentleness, united to him in his inmost being. In those days Moses raised his hands to heaven and brought down manna, the bread of angels; the new Moses raises his hands to heaven and gives us the food of eternal life. Moses struck the rock and brought forth streams of water; Christ touches his table, strikes the spiritual rock of the new covenant, and draws forth the living water of the Spirit. This rock is like a fountain in the midst of Christ’s table, so that on all sides the flocks may draw near to this living spring and refresh themselves in the waters of salvation.

Since this fountain, this source of life, this table surrounds us with untold blessings and fills us with the gifts of the Spirit, let us approach it with sincerity of heart and purity of conscience to receive grace and mercy in our time of need. Grace and mercy be yours from the only-begotten Son, our Lord, and Savior Jesus Christ; through him and with him be glory, honor, and power to the Father and the life-giving Spirit, now and always and forever. Amen.

 
Peace


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