Reconciled - February 4 Readings: Exodus 23–24, Matthew 22:15–33, Psalms 18:47–50, Proverbs 3:31–33

Links to Today's Readings: Exodus 23–24, Matthew 22:15–33, Psalms18:47–50, Proverbs 3:31–33

NOTE: This plan was generated by my computer Bible study program (Logos). I looked ahead and realized some anomalies later in the year, so I've gone back and adjusted the Old Testament readings. The result is that, if you are paying attention, Exodus 23 was in both yesterday's AND today's readings. 

So often, when we consider what Christ does for us, we think small. He helped me through my time of stress last week. He provided for my need. He answered a prayer. And we ought never forget to see God's hand in the small things of life. 

But in Exodus 24:1-2, we are confronted with one of the great works of God, one of those big things that God has done. God was at work in Israel, but there was great distance between God and his people. 

Then He said to Moses, “Go up to the Lord, you and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and 70 of Israel’s elders, and bow in worship at a distance. Moses alone is to approach the Lord, but the others are not to approach, and the people are not to go up with him.”

Moses was invited into the awesome presence of God, but everyone else was excluded - he was to go alone. God worked in Israel through a mediator. He spoke to Moses, then Moses spoke to the People. 

That is what sin does; it builds walls that separate us from God. Adam and Eve were created to live in intimate fellowship with God but they left that behind to embrace their sin. Distance from God became the natural human condition. Even when God was drawing near to Israel that distance remained. Moses was accepted into the presence of God while the Israelites were left cowering at the foot of the mountain. 

But many years later another mediator came between God and man. He did not ascend a hill to receive the law, but he ascended a cross to pay the price for our sins. By that act of sacrifice, Jesus broke down the dividing wall and brought back into the relationship with God that was lost by sin. 

Now, because of Jesus, there is no estrangement, no separation between God and the redeemed. We can approach the throne of grace with boldness, confident that we are accepted in Christ. Our sin, the cause of separation, has been paid for and forgiven and its ability to enslave and isolate has been nullified. 

Take a moment and imagine you are an average Israelite that day. You stand in a crowd at the bottom of the hill while Moses and the other leaders disappear into the presence of God - a place you are prevented from going. Now, come back to the present day and be glad that there is no wall, no separation from God. Jesus Christ has reconciled us to God and we are welcome in the presence of God. 

Father, thank you for giving your Son for my sins so that I might be reconciled to you. I rejoice that Jesus was my mediator and has brought me to you. I come to you humbly, knowing that it is not by my righteousness or my works that I may come. But I also come before you in confidence, knowing that Christ paved the way and I may approach you in his name.