Day 87
Deuteronomy 9:1-10:22; Luke 8:4-21; Psalm 69:19-36; Proverbs 12:2-3
Ears That Hear
Our Old Testament reading continues today with Moses rehearsing some scenes of Israel’s recent past – some scenes that, most likely, they would rather forget. Don’t we all have such scenes in our lives? But, thankfully, in addition to the mistakes in Israel’s past there was also a God defined by steadfast love, and an intercessor who pleaded on their behalf.
This intercessor, named Moses, was called to this role by the God who understood in advance that His People would need a mediator. Moses called the People of God to remember, to listen (that is obey), and to turn back to God when they failed. Many centuries later the God of steadfast love sent another figure, named Jesus, who called Israel to do the same. Moses fell short of entering the Promised Land, but through His cross and resurrection, Jesus brought the Promised Land to those who recall what Jesus did, obey God’s call, and turn back to Him.
God sent the perfect mediator in His Son, Christ our Lord, because He heard the cry of the collective human heart which rang out, “We need a Savior!” Jesus taught His disciples a new commandment: “Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another” (John 13:34). Let it be said of us that we have turned to God, heard these words, and have obeyed this command.
The Rev. Gary Jackson