Today's Reading: Exodus 34:29-35

Daily Lectionary: Job 4:1-21; John 2:1-12

When Moses came down from Mount Sinai, with the two tablets of the testimony in his hand as he came down from the mountain, Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone because he had been talking with God. Aaron and all the people of Israel saw Moses, and behold, the skin of his face shone, and they were afraid to come near him. But Moses called to them, and Aaron and all the leaders of the congregation returned to him, and Moses talked with them. (Exodus 34:29–31)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. God sent Moses down the mountain to talk to His people, but they were afraid to come near and hear His ten words. Moses' face shone. He reflected the God who sent him. And the people were too unclean to stand before that kind of holiness. 

It's the thing sinners tend to do: We run from the Holy One. Like Adam and Eve hiding in the bushes after eating of the tree, the people of Israel hid from Moses. Like the people afraid to come near Moses, who spoke for God, we cannot by our own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ or come near Him. 

There's one common theme: It's the Law. Adam and Eve ran from the condemnation of the Law. The people ran, too. We cannot by our own reason or strength, love and trust a God of the Law. We can only fear Him. So there's another common theme: the Gospel. God called Adam and Eve out of the bushes and promised salvation. Moses called the people back and veiled his face. The Holy Spirit calls you by the Gospel, enlightens, sanctifies, and keeps you. 

God sends preachers of the Gospel who promise that the Cross of Christ takes away Adam's sin. Israel's sin. All the sin. Your sin. The terror of the Law is veiled by the promise of the Gospel. Your sins are forgiven you. You have nothing left to hide. No reason left to run. Draw near to God and receive His Gifts. After all, He sent Moses down the mountain with ten words of gift to all of Israel, and to you. God insists on calling out sinners who are terrified of condemnation and speaking comfort to them. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

We all confess the Holy Ghost, Who, in highest heaven dwelling With God the Father and the Son, Comforts us beyond all telling; Who the Church, His own creation, Keeps in unity of spirit. Here forgiveness and salvation Daily come through Jesus' merit. All flesh shall rise, and we shall be In bliss with God eternally. Amen. ("We All Believe in One True God" LSB 954, st.3)

-Rev. Harrison Goodman is content executive for Higher Things.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Rev. Duane Bamsch

Discover new insights from each line of the Psalms in Engaging the Psalms: A Guide for Reflection and Prayer. Read, repeat, and return to the Lord as you walk through all 150 Psalms. Now available from Concordia Publishing House.