One Year Bible, Saturday, February 12th
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1. Today we see the grace of God. Even though the Israelites made golden calves and offered sacrifices to them, God gives Moses a second set of stone tablets containing the covenant. He gives them a second chance. He again meets Moses on the mountain and passes before him. Then the Lord himself says these important words revealing His true character,
"And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, 7 maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation.” 34:6-7
2. After meeting with God and writing down the Ten Commandments and all of the other aspects of God's covenant, Moses face was radiant. God's power and holiness had rubbed off on Moses to the extent that Aaron, and other others were afraid to draw near him. Moses continued to meet with God in the tabernacle and though he wore a veil in the presence of the people to shield them from God's radiance, when he went into the holy place he took off the veil.
This is foreshadowing of Jesus' finished work on the cross, when the curtain in the temple was torn in two opening the way for mankind to come into God's presence by faith.
3. Moses repeats the regulations for the Sabbath day. For six days they would work, but on the seventh day they would rest from their work, as they made that day holy unto the Lord.
"The same principle holds true for our walk with God. Anything we do for the LORD must grow out of our rest in Him, and rest in His finished work on our behalf." (Guzik)
It is interesting that the Lord had to repeat almost all the commandments he had given them through Moses. Like the Israelites, we need to be reminded of the Lord's commandments for us and His desire to be the ruler of our lives!
1. At the Passover festival it was customary for Pilate to let a prisoner go. Perhaps it was in remembrance that the Israelites were prisoners of the Egyptians and God freed them. Though the religious leaders had handed Jesus over for selfish motives, Pilate was hoping he might encourage the people to ask for Jesus to be let go. In addition, Pilate's wife had a bad dream about Jesus and urged him to have nothing to do with Jesus.
2. But the chief priest and other leaders had their influence on the people, so that when Pilate asked the crowd who he should release they shouted, "Barabas". Worse yet when he asked what he should do with "Jesus the one who is called the Messiah", they shouted, "Crucify him". Though it was the religous leaders who wanted to get rid of Jesus, the people were also culpable with their actions that day.
Pilate had a chance to make the right decision. "Here is a man who knows the right thing to do – and knows it by many convincing ways. Yet he will do the wrong thing, a terrible thing, in obedience to the multitudes." (Guzik)
During Holy Week we often use this story to remind ourselves that in a different kind of way we all participate in the crucifixion of Jesus. Though we were not there to yell "crucify him", our own sin caused Jesus to go the cross as well.
3. Finally, we see the brutal and humiliating treatment Jesus receives from the guards. At the heart of their mockery is taunting him about being a, "so called" king. Little did they know the type of king they were coronating to be the King of kings. To add insult to injury, they spit on him and hit him in the face again and again.
This was prophesied in Isaiah 52:14 he says,
"But many were amazed when they saw him. His face was so disfigured he seemed hardly human, and from his appearance, one would scarcely know he was a man."
Think about the insanity of this. These men were spitting in the face of God!
"What Now" Study Questions:
Moses descended the mountain with his face glowing with the glory of God! Does your faith walk reflect the glory of God?
Some of the same people who clamored for Christ's execution had shouted His hosannas earlier in the week. How could people change their tune so quickly?
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