The Light of Christ Journey

Reverence reorients us in transition. The awe of God can wake us up to His reality, holiness, and authority. Sometimes we get wrapped up in the things of this world and forget God has more for us.

Moses was shepherding sheep for his father-in-law, as he had for forty years. He had led the sheep far into the wilderness when he saw a burning bush. Exodus 3: ⁴ When the Lord saw Moses coming to take a closer look, God called to him from the middle of the bush, “Moses! Moses!”

“Here I am!” Moses replied.

⁵ “Do not come any closer,” the Lord warned. “Take off your sandals, for you are standing on holy ground. ⁶ I am the God of your father—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” When Moses heard this, he covered his face because he was afraid to look at God. ^[1]

Holy Ground

Moses approached the burning bush, which was the presence of God. As Moses got closer, God instructed him to remove his sandals. In that culture, they took off their sandals to show respect. Today, the removal of a hat can express reverence and respect. Sandals would also pick up dirt, and out of reverence, we should be clean as we approach God.

Through His presence, God was transforming a rocky mountain into a sacred space. Horeb may refer to the chain of mountains in this area. Sinai would refer to a specific mountain peak. This may be called the mountain of God for several reasons. First of all, God’s presence in the burning bush would set it apart as holy. But this may also be called the mountain of God because it is where God would give the Ten Commandments and renew the covenant with His people. Thus, we can see God transitioning a mountain to a holy place through his actions.

Fear of the Lord

In the Old Testament, people feared looking at God because His presence was associated with immense power, holiness, and judgment. If one were unworthy, looking upon God could lead to death. This fear stemmed from a deep reverence for God’s glory and the understanding that encountering Him directly was a serious matter. Thus, Moses covered his face at the burning bush.

We, too, cannot be worthy by our own merit and must depend on Jesus. Romans 3: ²³ For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. ²⁴ Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. ²⁵ For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood.^[2]

Jesus gives us a new life as we believe and trust in Him. Our reverence reorients us in transition to our new life in Christ. 1 John 1: ⁸ If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. ⁹ But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.^[3] Because Jesus cleanses our sins, we can approach God without fear. To learn more, listen here:

https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/god-in-the-midst-of-change

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^[1-3] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.