Thoughts in Worship

Message Magazine's Online Devotional for Wednesday, September 20, 2017

Audio Link: https://www.spreaker.com/user/reachmanyradio/thoughts-in-worship-09-20-2017

This is devotional thought number 7 in our devotional series, “Removing the Veil: Sanctuary Living in the 21st Century.” Our subject is: Mediation

Here’s the question for consideration: How does God establish a link with people even though sin creates separation?

“And the Lord said unto Moses, Lo, I come unto thee in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with thee, and believe thee for ever. And Moses told the words of the people unto the Lord.” (Exodus 19:9).

One major problem we have, being sinful human beings, is that we are sinful human beings. I suppose that is obvious, but what may not be as obvious is how God bridges the divide between us and Him. How does He continue to be a holy consuming fire, and not destroy us immediately due to our unholiness. Here’s one word with which we all must become acquainted throughout this series—mediation. Mediation, in our context, is the process of someone going in to God for us, and coming out from God to us. We need someone who can speak to the Father on our behalf, through whom He can teach us His ways and guide us on the path of righteousness. The Bible says, “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;” (1 Timothy 2:5). All God-ordained mediation is a microcosm of Jesus fulfilling His ministry of mediating our prayers, resolution of our sin problem, and fitting us for eternal kingdom living.

OK, so we are clear that Jesus is the singular mediator between heaven and earth in the New Testament era. The ceremonial priesthood that we will discuss as we move through this series of devotional thoughts, was fulfilled in Christ, and thereby made null and void upon His death, burial, resurrection, and ministry in heaven. One foundational reality of Protestantism is the fact that while every believer has a ministry of reconciliation, wherein we can pray for and entreat others to give their lives into God’s care, no human priest or faith community in our times can mediate anyone’s salvation. No human being or faith community can merit, reward, qualify, or disqualify anyone’s connection to the Creator. But, we must not miss the lessons God communicated in the Old Testament, which help us understand His present work through Christ in this vein.

Today’s Scripture focus shows the way God manifested His approval of Moses’ special mediation. I will admit, his ministry was unique in that He was not part of the priestly order, yet God used him in unique ways to draw people to Himself and to communicate His will to them. “And the Lord said unto Moses, See, I have made thee a god to Pharaoh: and Aaron thy brother shall be thy prophet. Thou shalt speak all that I command thee: and Aaron thy brother shall speak unto Pharaoh, that he send the children of Israel out of his land.” (Exodus 7:1–2). Our lesson from all of this is that there are people who show disdain for the servants of God. They show rebellious disregard for the authority and leadership God has placed upon their ministries. Forecasting that fact, and creating insulation against all confusion, God placed His undeniable stamp of approval upon those He called to represent Him. In the case of Moses, God welcomed Him up to the top of the mountain and then elevated him further by enfolding him into a thick cloud, which nobody could penetrate. He spoke to Moses directly so all others could hear. He radiated His light through Moses’ countenance on a at least one occasion. He communicated His will through Moses. He taught the people concerning His blessings, curses, and all other truths they needed to navigate life. He...