May the mumbling commence!
Walk with the Lord, and your face will shine. You will be a light to the world that is lit by none other than God. For some people, this light will cause great joy. For others, this light will cause great anxiety. Read from Exodus chapter thirty-four:
When Moses came down the mountain carrying the stone tablets inscribed with the terms of the covenant, he wasn't aware that his face glowed because he had spoken to the Lord face to face. And when Aaron and the people of Israel saw the radiance of Moses' face, they were afraid to come near him.
But Moses called to them and asked Aaron and the community leaders to come over and talk with him. Then all the people came, and Moses gave them the instructions the Lord had given him on Mount Sinai. When Moses had finished speaking with them, he put a veil over his face. But whenever he went into the Tent of Meeting to speak with the Lord, he removed the veil until he came out again. Then he would give the people whatever instructions the Lord had given him, and the people would see his face aglow. Afterward he would put the veil on again until he returned to speak with the Lord. (Verses 29-35)
Moses spoke with the Lord face to face… and his face glowed with the Shekinah glory of God. The people were frightened. But why? Were they afraid that their sins would be revealed in that light? It could have been the case. Are you and I afraid about what the light of the Lord might reveal in our lives? Or are we ready to embrace the light?
Now this passage from Exodus talks about Moses covering his face with a veil after talking to the people and giving them God’s message for them. But that veil came off when he returned to speak with the Lord… and when he relayed the message of the Lord to the people.
With the Advent of Jesus, that veil has been removed. We can see the transfigured Jesus and the transfigured Moses. In fact, we can come before God ourselves. The veil that separated the people of God from God was torn and removed because of the work of Jesus. Now that’s something to celebrate! It would mean no fasting when the bridegroom is present… the bridegroom of the church. Read from Mark chapter two:
John's disciples and the Pharisees sometimes fasted. One day some people came to Jesus and asked, "Why do John's disciples and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples don't fast?"
Jesus replied, "Do wedding guests fast while celebrating with the groom? Of course not. They can't fast while they are with the groom. But someday he will be taken away from them, and then they will fast.” (Verses 18-20)
When we feel the presence of Jesus in our lives, it is not the time to fast. Yet when we have a hard time feeling the presence of Christ, then we are called to fast – to fast and pray.
May we seek God with all our heart. Then, we will find our Lord nearer than we expected in unexpected places.
Enough mumbling for now…
Peace Out
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