There is one guarantee in this lifetime that none of us can escape or deny. Each and every human that is born will die. Sorry to infuse your day with such a positive, uplifting notion, yet it’s true. 100% of all people will die. Just check the statistics. And today we look at quite the notable death in the pages of God’s Word…the death of Moses.
For the last year, the 5MC has focused on the 5 books that Moses authored and within them what is generally referred to as the Mosaic Law. When it comes to the prophets of God there are none like Moses, in fact when God offers his last words about Moses, the words glow just like Moses’ face did as he came down from Mount Sinai.
“And there has not arisen a prophet since in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face, none like him for all the signs and the wonders that the Lord sent him to do in the land of Egypt, to Pharaoh and to all his servants and to all his land, and for all the mighty power and all the great deeds of terror that Moses did in the sight of all Israel.” Deut 34:10-12
But what I’d like to look at today is not the life of Moses, we’ve done that rather effectually over the last year, but I’d like to look at the bitter history that Moses endured involving the Promised land. Recall that God called Moses in the desert via a burning bush and commanded him to Egypt to demand that Pharaoh let the Israelites go from their slavery. A job Moses reluctantly accepted. Moses ushered in the horrible plagues upon Egypt and after the terrifying night of Passover, Pharaoh finally relented and told the Israelites to get out. Fast forward and a trip to the Promised land that should have taken only a few months took over 40 years because of the hard, stiff-necked hearts of the people Moses led. All the while, Moses was patiently shepherding God’s people as he spoke with God daily to receive direction.
But all this changed one day as Moses was yet once again trying to satisfy the whining and complaining of a stubborn, needy people. They were once again out of water and as the people cried out, their cries reached the ears of God and He provided. Yet this time, out of frustration, and I’m sure a bit of anger, Moses became impatient and one stroke of liberty with God’s clear instructions would cost him greatly.
“Now there was no water for the community, and the people gathered in opposition to Moses and Aaron. They quarreled with Moses and said, “If only we had died when our brothers fell dead before the Lord! Why did you bring the Lord’s community into this wilderness, that we and our livestock should die here? Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to this terrible place? It has no grain or figs, grapevines or pomegranates. And there is no water to drink!”
"Moses and Aaron went from the assembly to the entrance to the tent of meeting and fell facedown, and the glory of the Lord appeared to them. The Lord said to Moses, “Take the staff, and you and your brother Aaron gather the assembly together. Speak to that rock before their eyes and it will pour out its water. You will bring water out of the rock for the community so they and their livestock can drink.”
"So Moses took the staff from the Lord’s presence, just as he commanded him. He and Aaron gathered the assembly together in front of the rock and Moses said to them, “Listen, you rebels, must we bring you water out of this rock?” Then Moses raised his arm and struck the rock twice with his staff. Water gushed out, and the community and their livestock drank. But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not trust in me enough to honor me as holy in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this community into the land I give them.” Number 20:2-12
You see, the rock in our passage (symbolizing Jesus Christ) had already been struck once before and it need never be struck again. Jesus was struck down once upon the Cross, but never again will it happen. Moses, by striking the rock twice had broken a vital command of the Lord, unbeknownst to him. I can just see Moses with thousands of grumpy angry people yelling at him in bitter thirst as he is looking at the rock waiting for the water to come forth. The pressure, the impatience, the people pressing in on him. And it was in this moment that out of this disobedience to God, that God refused to let Moses ever enter the promised land. As we read about the death of Moses today, it’s heart breaking to see He and God talking on a hill overlooking the entire Promised Land, something Moses could see in the moment, yet could never enter.
But in a strange twist, if you know your Bible, Moses did indeed set foot in the Promised Land. And it is in this passage that we will find the bulk of our lesson today.
“After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus. Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.” When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus.” Matt 17:1-8
There is a very important lesson for us here today. A lesson in our salvation and where it firmly lies. You see, solely under the Law, there is no grace. Moses broke the Law of God and was not allowed into the Promised Land, simple and easy. The Law is the Law. But notice that as Moses did finally appear in the Promised Land, who brought Him, The Lord Jesus Christ. What a valuable lesson.
Folks, there is nothing you can ever do on your own to get to Heaven. Go to church a lot, nope, won’t do it. Get Baptized, nope, not enough. Come from a good Christian family, nope, not even close. Give a bunch of money to a church, nope. Volunteer at an orphanage and also work at homeless shelter, nope, won’t get you to Heaven. Go on a mission trip and help widows, nope. Read your Bible everyday, nope. You see under the Law, that is, the legalistic thoughts of mankind and organized religion, there is no way for man to get into Heaven. Moses died staring directly at the Promised Land, but He could not enter it. He was so close, yet He might as well have been a galaxy away. But folks, praise God, when Jesus came, He abolished the Law. The Law is no longer needed as the work Jesus did upon the Cross brought new ingredients…grace and mercy. God saw that mankind could never be perfect enough to adhere to the Law and out of His abundant love, He desired for us to be in Heaven with Him. It is for this reason that He sent His only Son Jesus. The perfect sacrifice, the perfect lamb, to be slain and to pay the penalties of a law-breaking people forever.
Friends, today if you are wondering about what happens when death comes knocking in this lifetime, you have to wonder about Heaven and just exactly how you get there. God’s Word is crystal clear on this, there is but one way to secure a place in Heaven and spend eternity in the presence of Holy God.
“Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6
“For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” 1 Tim 2:5
“And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12
You see the Law kept Moses out of the Promised Land, but the power of Jesus Christ brought him in. Through the power of Jesus Christ, you today can secure your place in Heaven. The Law says you can’t come in, but the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ says you can. Call upon the name of Jesus Christ today and ensure that when death calls upon your fleshly body, your Spirit will soar into eternity and into the loving arms of Jesus.
God bless you.
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