15 The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your fellow Israelites. You must listen to Him. ~ Deuteronomy 18:15NIV
Before Moses died, he reassured the people that the LORD would send them another prophet like him, from among their own people. Moses had been saved from the decrees of pharaoh to be thrown in the river. That very river brought him to Pharaoh’s daughter, who would pay his own mother to nurse him until he was old enough to be given to pharaoh’s daughter. He was raised in the palace of Pharaoh free from the persecution his people felt, yet he willingly risked it all to try to help his own.
This led to him fleeing for his own life and ending up a stranger in a strange land. There, he became a shepherd, a husband, and a father. He was free, enjoying life when the LORD called him back to Egypt. So, what does Moses do? The risks it all once again and goes to help his people. Then, throughout their deliverance, and even after, they complain to him. They blame him for their hardships.
Then, when God met with them, he was the only one who went into the presence of God and therefore became the bridge between God and man. Jesus’ story is similar but more intense.
He wasn’t just a guest in a foreign king’s home. No. He was the King of kings and LORD of lords seated on His own throne in Heaven. Free from all pain, suffering, and want, only to freely give it up to take on the from of a servant. He felt hunger, thirst, pain, suffering, and even temptation. All of this for the world He knew would ultimately reject Him and even crucify Him.
What’s the major difference between them? Moses physically delivered his people, but Christ physically, spiritually, and emotionally delivered all people willing to believe in Him. This deliverance was not for just a moment but is for all eternity. As Moses died, Christ also died, but the biggest difference is that Christ rose three days later. This is the most important difference.
Christ died but rose again to never die again. This is our hope. To die to sin and live to Christ. To look forward to His physical return, but even as He is physically in Heaven, His Holy Spirit dwells in us, and He lives through us. So we are not alone.
Dear LORD, thank You for Your promises fulfilled. Thank You for Your great sacrifice that freed me from my sin. Help me to not make light of Your sacrifice nor take it for granted. Teach me to lean on Your Holy Spirit and hear Your guiding whisper. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.