Moses, more than anyone in Old Testament scripture, had close encounters with God. One of the first times we see it is in the odd story of the ‘burning bush’. Moses was leading a flock of sheep to the base of Horeb (the mountain of God Exodus 3v1). And then…
“… the angel of the Lord appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. So Moses thought, ‘I will go over and see this strange sight – why the bush does not burn up.’ When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, ‘Moses! Moses!’ And Moses said, ‘Here I am.’ ‘Do not come any closer,’ God said. ‘Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.’” (Exodus 3v2-5)
Wherever God is, there is holy ground. And amazingly, even though there is fire, God invites Moses to drawer near, but on one condition: “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.”
Moses needed cleansing in order to be safe in God’s presence. In this close encounter, cleansing was symbolised in the removal of sandals. Feet (especially dirty feet that had been attending sheep!) were an important point in that culture. It was shameful to go into someone’s home with sandals on. Uncleanness was to be left at the door. It’s the same with God. Before Him and His presence, our uncleanness needs to be left at the door; it needs to be dealt with.
But how? Well, later on, Jesus washes His disciples’ feet in John 13. And there is this close encounter…
“He (Jesus) came to Simon Peter, who said to him, ‘Lord, are you going to wash my feet?’ Jesus replied, ‘You do not realise now what I am doing, but later you will understand.’ ‘No,’ said Peter, ‘you shall never wash my feet.’ Jesus answered, ‘Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.’”
(John 13v6-8)
It’s showing us more deeply that unless we are washed by Jesus we will never have a close encounter with God, that we can never come near to God because of our sin. Unless you stand at the cross for forgiveness, you’ll never manage to wash yourself.
Have you been to Jesus for the cleansing power?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Are you fully trusting in His grace this hour?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Are you washed in the blood,
In the soul cleansing blood of the Lamb?
Are your garments spotless?
Are they white as snow?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Tomorrow we’ll look at another close encounter that Moses had. But today we read: “Jesus answered, ‘Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.’”
Have you gone to Jesus?
Lloyd
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