Exodus 3, Mark 16

Thursday, February 7, 2008 - Brandon Hatmaker

"Don't come any closer, Don't be alarmed!"

(Exodus 3)

Vs. 5-6 "Do not come any closer," God said. "Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground." Then he said, "I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob." At this, Moses hid his face, because he was afraid to look at God.”

Each time I’ve read this chapter I’m drawn to these few verses. I’m intrigued by the way God initiates conversation with Moses. God tells him to stop. Quit moving. Don’t come any closer until you do something: recognize where you are. In order to do that, Moses had to recognize who was talking to him. There is no way to come to a realization that we are standing before a Holy God and not also quickly realize how unholy we truly are. Moses felt that right away and he hid his face.

Our feet can be great indicators. We need to look at them more often. When we do, they will tell us at least two things (1) where we are and (2) where we are headed. I think both spiritually and physically we need to evaluate that more often and we’ll see how closely the two are related. Where we find ourselves physically will show us a lot about where we are spiritually. The direction we are headed physically will show us a lot about where we are headed spiritually. And if we will take an honest look at these positions in respect to Christ, we will see very quickly the areas that we have kept for ourselves.

God, give us perspective each day. Help us to remember your greatness. Then we will remember your grace.

(Mark 16)

“But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed. "Don't be alarmed," he said. "You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here.”

Here is our hope. Jesus did not simply die. He conquered death.

In Chapter 15, those who passed by Jesus on the cross, hurled insults at him. “So! You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, come down from the cross and save yourself!”

Even in their insults, they were close. Although it was God who allowed it, it was them who destroyed the temple. But God certainly raised it in three days. And Jesus came down from the cross, but he didn’t do it to save himself. He did it to save us.

Father, thank you for the cross. Thank you for the resurrection. Thank you for eternal life through Jesus the King.