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March 21st
Today’s Bible reading is in Deuteronomy chapters 30,31.
Jesus said, “Moses wrote of me...” we find that in John chapter 5 of our New Testament. “Moses wrote of me. If you believed in Moses why will you not believe in me.”
The Scribes and Pharisees were known as “Torah specialists” in Israel. They were thought of as being very conservative and very diligent in their work of interpreting scripture. ..especially the first five books in the Hebrew scriptures.
So how did they miss Jesus in the text before us? We may never know...But I believe that we can safely join CH Spurgeon to interpret at least some of Moses’ message, not only from the standpoint of the law but also from the standpoint of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Let ‘s read Galatians 3:24...” wherefore the law was our schoolmaster leading us to Christ...” God’s Spirit was speaking through the apostle Paul. Paul was convinced that the major purpose of God giving Israel His laws was to drive them to the gospel.
The law would act as the schoolmaster to help Israel to recognize Jesus when He came from heaven to be their savior from sin. The law and the prophets would tutor Israel to see their desperate need as sinners for a savior and not just a national champion.
Even the laws concerning the Tabernacle, the sacrifices and the purification rites were given by God to help Israel to recognize Jesus one day....recognize Him as the righteousness beyond their own that was sent from glory to save them from the penalty of their own sin.
Wow...who might be that righteous sacrifice for sinning people? Jesus!...for sure! Today’s text is certainly one of those passages where Moses wrote and preached about the Savior yet to come.
Moses preached that the way of salvation was plain as day. He spoke as though it was not locked away in the most secret archives of heaven that kept it from normal people. Moses said that the way of knowing and doing spiritual salvation was not hidden in the dark secret places in the depths of the seas.
No...the way of eternal salvation for the souls of sinners is...“brought to us”...and who brought it?
“Jesus...”...who said, “I am the Way”! He brought it down from heaven to us...right, where we live and love and see and understand ...He brought the gospel right here to planet earth.
My father in law would say, “salvation in Christ was “handy”...near enough to touch it...” there it is...right there in plain sight....in the person of Jesus Christ.”
Moses was prophesying. The congregation knew him to be truthful. This message had to stir the hearts and hopes of many.
Everyone would want a sure and accessible salvation that they could grasp....wouldn't they?
And here their prophet was saying that the wonderful salvation of God was near them......”Moses was saying...” “we can speak it in the language we know...we can understand it in our hearts...a savior for us”
Especially for the simple...the guilty...the needy...the undeserving...the desperate...the “slow” to get it and “slow” to recognize it...a savior for me...the oft too proud to humbly receive God’s grace in front of me.
Moses knew the eternal matter of salvation. But lest that “huge matter” cause some to leave it to the priests and prophets to consider, Moses told his congregation that it was..."not too hard”... for them. He was saying that the truth concerning salvation could be shared with the youngest and the oldest of persons in the congregation.
“It was that simple...” God made it that way on purpose.
And guess what? There is more to this story...hope you enjoy it!
Have a great rest of the day
