Jesus’ Ministry
February 25, 2019
Scripture Reading: Exodus 34:29-35
Moses came down from Mount Sinai. As he came down from the mountain with the two tablets of the covenant in his hand, Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone because he had been talking with God. When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, the skin of his face was shining, 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 spoke with them. Afterwards all the Israelites came near, and he gave them in commandment all that the Lord had spoken with him on Mount Sinai. When Moses had finished speaking with them, he put a veil on his face; but whenever Moses went in before the Lord to speak with him, he would take the veil off, until he came out; and when he came out, and told the Israelites what he had been commanded, the Israelites would see the face of Moses, that the skin of his face was shining; and Moses would put the veil on his face again, until he went in to speak with him.
They will know we are Christians by our love* was a favorite chorus when I was a youth and I still enjoying singing it. I, however, wonder today what behaviors are identified by the general population as “Christian”. I even at times refer to myself as a Christ follower rather than as a Christian because of the bad connotations of bigotry, hate, and privilege that are at times associated with Christians.
Moses’ shining face identified him with God as he guided the Israelites in their journey out of slavery. Our love is what identifies us with Christ as we model his behavior in all aspects of our lives. What we say means a lot. How we live our lives is even more important as people consider the worth of becoming a Christian.
We Will work with each other, we will work side by side;
We will work with each other, we will work side by side;
And we’ll guard each man’s dignity and save each man’s pride*.
Prayer: Lord, help our lives glow with the light of your love. Amen.
*Third verse of They Will Know We are Christians by Our love see at https://wordtoworship.com/song/14526