The One Who Leads the Exodus from Sin

Prayer-Soldier

The One Who Leads the Exodus from Sin

Scripture:

I beheld till thrones were placed, and the Ancient of days sat: his garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like clean wool: his throne like flames of fire: the wheels of it like a burning fire. A swift stream of fire issued forth from before him: thousands of thousands ministered to him, and ten thousand times a hundred thousand stood before him: the judgment sat, and the books were opened.

I beheld therefore in the vision of the night, and lo, one like the son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and he came even to the Ancient of days: and they presented him before him. And he gave him power, and glory, and a kingdom: and all peoples, tribes and tongues shall serve him: his power is an everlasting power that shall not be taken away: and his kingdom that shall not be destroyed.
(Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14)

For we have not by following artificial fables, made known to you the power, and presence of our Lord Jesus Christ; but we were eyewitnesses of his greatness. For he received from God the Father, honor and glory: this voice coming down to him from the excellent glory: This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear him. And this voice we heard brought from heaven, when we were with him in the holy mount. And we have the more firm prophetical word: whereunto you do well to attend, as to a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:
(2 Peter 1:16-19)

And after six days Jesus takes unto him Peter and James, and John his brother, and brings them up into a high mountain apart: And he was transfigured before them. And his face did shine as the sun: and his garments became white as snow. And behold there appeared to them Moses and Elias talking with him. And Peter answering, said to Jesus: Lord, it is good for us to be here: if you will, let us make here three tabernacles, one for you, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. And as he was yet speaking, behold a bright cloud overshadowed them. And lo, a voice out of the cloud, saying: This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased: hear him.

And the disciples hearing, fell upon their face, and were very much afraid. And Jesus came and touched them: and said to them, Arise, and fear not. And they lifting up their eyes saw no one but only Jesus. And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying: Tell the vision to no man, till the Son of man be risen from the dead.
(Matthew 17:1-9)

Reflection:

We are the children of His creation. He created us with the desire that we love Him and one another, (Matthew 22:36-40) but the scriptures and history reveal the many ways we fail Him as well as those He calls for us to love. We might ask ourselves, what would the world look like if we lived according to His commandments? What are the possibilities of the world where all the children of His creation live in love of Him and one another? This is His desire for us, but why is our desire not that of the One in whose image we were created? (Genesis 1:27) Why do we so easily spurn the commandments of love? Why do so many believe opposition to His Word is desirable?

The world in which we live began with God, but the failures of peoples and nations are not His failures, rather, the failures of the choices of the children of His creation. Though God communicated His commandments to the generations (Exodus 20:1-17, Deuteronomy 5:6-21), though He endeavors to teach us a better way, so many turn from His blessings. We might wonder, with all the harm, misery, and sorrow which is brought forth as we ignore the ways to which He encourages us, what is it which drives our dedication to sin?

For our transgressions, it is within His power to destroy us as He did in the time of Noah (Genesis 6:5-7), as He did to the cities of sin. (Genesis 19:13) This is not His desire, for though the evil which is spawned by us pains Him so, His hope is that we shall repent and turn from the darkness which seduces us. His desire is that none of His flock should be lost. (Matthew 18:10-14) It is for this reason God sent His only begotten Son so that none need suffer eternal death, but all might have the hope of eternal life. If we listen to His Son and all which He teaches, we have the opportunity before us to live a better way (1 Corinthians 12:31), but so many turn away. One might wonder, with our commitment to ways of evil, how can anyone have the hope of salvation? It comes only through the sacrifice of the Lamb of God, the One who is without blemish. (John 1:29)

God worked through Moses to deliver the chosen children of His creation from the bondage of Egypt. God called them to a land of prosperity where, if they followed His commandments, He promised to them His care and many blessings (Deuteronomy 11:13-17), but parents failed to teach their children and the generations increased as a stiff necked people. Evil swelled and to this day continues to spread its sorrows. Selfish hearts turn to wicked ways and many miseries spread through families, communities, and nations. What besets the world through the free will of dark souls can only be quenched by the free will and the obedience of the One who is good, blameless, and unblemished. (Romans 5:19)

The obedience of Moses led a people to throw off the bondage of slavery to Egypt. Moses encouraged the people to give thanks and to remain true to the ways of the Lord (Deuteronomy 11:18-21), but Moses was not without flaw. His soul was not without the blemish of sin, nor was his obedience perfect. (Numbers 20:12) The generations continued to fail in their ways. Because God so loved the children of His creation, He set in motion a plan so that all might be saved through the unblemished Lamb which God would provide. (John 3:16-1 Cool

As Moses led the exodus from Egypt, so now the Son of God leads the Exodus from sin.

So it was that through the obedience of the One conceived through the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:35) death was conquered for the blessings of all the generations, for if this was not possible, it would not have been possible for Moses and Elijah to stand with Him centuries after their passing from this world (Matthew 17:3, Mark 9:4, Luke 9:30), for our God is not the God of the dead, but of the living. (Exodus 3:6, Matthew 22:32, Mark 12:26)

Blessed are those who saw the moment; the moment where the Son of God stood with Moses and Elijah, the holy ones who died to the world, but now live with God in His kingdom. Blessed are we for the path made possible for us, the ones stained with sin, so that we may be forgiven of our transgressions and cleansed of our iniquities, so we may have the opportunity to wash our robes and make them white in the blood of the Lamb (Revelation 7-14) so we may have the opportunity to enter into the kingdom where there is no pain or affliction, where there is no evil, and where love is shared by all.

In this is our hope (1 Peter 3:15), for as Jesus discussed with Moses and Elijah the exodus He would accomplish in Jerusalem (Luke 9:31), the plan was set in place whereby the gates of heaven were opened to us so that through our repentance and a contrite heart (Isaiah 57:15-19), we might complete our exodus from sin. Let us give thanks and praise for the glory of His sacrifice so we might receive the eternal blessings of His grace, mercy, and love.

Questions for further reflection:

What does the dominion and kingship given to the one like the Son of man mean to us?

How might we hear the voice which calls us to listen to the Son?

What hope do we find as we reflect upon the holy ones who stood with Jesus in front of Peter, James, and John?

May the peace and blessings of the Lord be with you always,
Prayer Soldier