Dear Readers and Listeners, Friends in Jesus Christ,
Our watchword for today is taken from the Book of Exodus, Chapter 19 verse 6, “The Lord says: You will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation,” (NRSVB). We read in Exodus Chapters 19 and 20 the narrative of Moses receiving the Word of God as God spoke from the Mountain Sinai. The people encamped at the foot of the mountain, after they travelled for three months, following their deliverance from the slavery they suffered in Egypt. While the people were waiting at the foot of the mountain, Moses went up the mountain to listen to the Voice of God. On the mountain, God himself spoke to Moses and told him to remind the Israelites that He “bore them on eagles’ wings” and brought them to Himself. They are His own treasure and will be blessed if they will obey His Voice in truth and keep the commandments that they will receive.
Moses came from the mountain and told the Israelites what God said to him. The people called in one voice that they would obey the Lord and do what He asked of them. God instructed Moses to inform the Israelites that they had to fast and come to the mountain in two days time to hear God’s Voice, so that it will be a witness to the people of God’s presence and affirmation of Moses’ leadership. Moses returned to the people and delivered God’s Words to them and they agreed to sanctify themselves to meet God and hear His Voice speaking the commandments.
Two days later, at the appointed time, the presence of God was seen and heard. There were thundering and lightning and the sound of a loud trumpet, it seemed as if the mountain was covered in smoke. The people fell back and stood far away, for they were afraid. They told Moses that he must rather speak to them, than God, for they were fearful that they would die, for the presence of the Lord was too awesome for them to behold. Moses consoled them and assured them that they would live and not die, for God’s commandments were given to give life and purpose. Moses proceeded to go up to God and received the commandments after he explained to the people that God wanted to inspire within them to hold Him in reverential fear, for He is the only God, the Maker and Creator of the Universe.
Despite God’s presence in the cloud and the fire column in the desert and His delivery out of slavery in Egypt, the Israelites preferred to receive God’s words through Moses, than receiving God’s words directly. God’s Voice was too great for them to bear, it filled them with awe, but also with fear. However, God wanted to speak to the people so that they could believe and therefore obey and learn to know and love Him.
We read in the Gospel of Luke in Chapter 3 verse 22, “And the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus in bodily form like a dove, and a voice came from heaven, saying: You are My Son, My Beloved! In You I am well pleased and find delight,” (Amplified Bible). Just as Moses received the affirmation of God’s presence to witness to people as to believe, so did Jesus Christ. Jesus is the Fulfilment of the Law and Prophets. He received the audible affirmation of God’s presence in and with him, and God’s anointing of Him as God’s own Word, dwelling on earth, at his baptism. At the transfiguration of the Lord Jesus, the three disciples saw Jesus on the Mountain with Moses and Elijah. They heard the Voice of God again, “This is My Son, My Beloved, with Whom I am and have always been delighted. Listen to Him!” Matthew 17 verse 21, (Amplified Bible). We read that the disciples were seized with fear and fell on their faces, but Jesus touched them and told them to get up and not be fearful.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of all wisdom, the psalmist teaches. God does not want that the reverential fear and respect for Him and his awesome power should drive people to hide from him. God’s power is revealed to inspire belief and trust and the sure knowledge that our God is and awesome God who cares and delivers those who love him.
When Jesus Christ died the earth trembled and the sun grew dark. It was as if the whole of creation mourned with God as the Beloved Only Begotten Son of God died for the guilt and sin of the world and all her people. Jesus has seen God and is able to stand and hear his Voice and tell the world the New Commandment that is given through the Lord God, the Commandment of Love. Jesus said that He came not to cancel the Law of Moses, but to fulfil it completely. Through Jesus Christ, we can stand before the Lord, as holy and consecrated, a priesthood of believers, witnessing to the Word and Work of the Lord, Jesus Christ for us.
The Apostle Paul summarizes the plans and purposes that God ordained for humanity in the Letter to the Ephesians in Chapter One verse Four, “He chose us in Christ before the foundations of the world to be blameless and holy before Him in love,” (NRSVB).
Father God, we come to you and thank you that you have sent your Son, who laid down his majesty to come to us, and be your Voice on Earth, so that we can believe and receive life eternal. Help us to grow in faith through your grace, so that we can live life in you love, this New Commandment Love of your Son, Amen.