Oct 12 - Moses and Jesus: The Major Prefiguring (and the Wow!)

•      Two days ago, I showed the minor ways in which Moses prefigured Jesus.
•      Today we focus on the major ways.
•      I’ll tell you why at the end!

Moses and Jesus both interceded for God’s people.

•      Exodus 32:11 Moses interceded with the Lord his God: “Lord, why does your anger burn against your people …?”
•      Romans 8:34 Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, interceding for us. 

Moses and Jesus both make an atonement for people’s sins.

•      Exodus 32:30 Moses said, "You have committed a great sin; but now I will go up to the Lord; perhaps I can make an atonement for your sin“
•      Romans 3:25 “God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood.” / 1 John 4:10 “This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.”

Moses and Jesus both “established” a New Covenant through the use of blood

•      Exodus 24:8 “Moses took the blood and dashed it on the people, and said, ‘See the blood of the covenant that the Lord has made with you in accordance with all these words.’”
•      1 Corinthians 11:25 In the same way he took the cup also, after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me."

Moses and Jesus both Mediated the Law

•      Moses gave the Law (which was from God).
•      Jesus fulfilled the Law, saying, "Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.” 

Moses and Jesus both did the work of Prophets, Priests, and Kings.

•      They are the only two in Scripture who perfectly fulfilled all three of the most important roles in Jewish History

Moses and Jesus both mediated the Passover Sacrifice

•      Moses (from God) instituted the Passover sacrifice.
•      Jesus was the perfect and final Passover sacrifice. 

Moses and Jesus both delivered their people from bondage

•      Moses delivered them from slavery in Egypt.
•      Jesus delivers us from bondage to sin.

Moses and Jesus both bring God’s people from slavery to the freedom of the Promised Land.

•      While Moses didn’t actually get to go in, he still brought God’s people to the Promised Land of Canaan.
•      Jesus finally and eternally brings us to the true Promised Land of Heaven!

WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?

1.        I hope this makes you say, “Wow! Our God is an active God.”
2.      The Jews in Jesus’ day – knowing Moses and seeing Jesus – should have said, “Jesus really is the Messiah, the Son of God.”
3.      Some did.
4.      Too many didn’t.
5.      As a result, has God forsaken the Jews? As the Apostle Paul would say, “By no means!” (Indeed, see Romans 9-11. In fact, tomorrow, I’ll show you a quick discussion on this matter.)
6.      Indeed, God’s final, prophetic plan for humanity flows through Jerusalem and the redemption of the Jews (along with the redemption with all who have faith!).
7.      And I believe the prophecies and prefigurings of Jesus (like these which mirror Moses) will finally click into place for the Jews and they will say, “Wow! How did I miss this before!”

“Wow!!!” Are you saying it yet?! If so, you’re ready for what will be revealed tomorrow’s sermon. (Did you get that email about the next few sermons? God’s call always works best when we start with a sense of wonder!)

Note:

All prejudice is wrong. But anti-Semitism is an infinitely greater wrong. Throughout history, the world has persecuted and scapegoated the Jews. Many of us have been taught to subtly (yet offensively) participate in that too. While we don’t build Holocaust ovens, our society, nevertheless, makes jokes about Jews and money. But what we joke about reveals in fact the character of our heart.

The question is: Why have the Jews – a small percentage of earth’s population – been a massively disproportionate object of hatred and oppression throughout the generations?

I think part of it is that Satan hates the Jews and believes that by persecuting God’s people, he can frustrate the plans of God. Therefore, I believe that “the father of lies” whispers gossip, envy, and hatred. And I believe too many humans (including way too many Christians) go along, mostly naively and unintentionally, with this hatred.

Have you? Stop the jokes and start the prayers.