Intro: For our Advent season this year, I have chosen to enjoy the Jesse Tree by sharing a 24-day practice to prepare us for the celebration of Christ’s birth; the event we celebrate and honor at Christmas. From the root of Jesse’s stump, we will discover or rediscover the people in the family Tree of Jesus Messiah who were instrumental in bringing the presence of God near to us in order to revive the Spirit-led family of faith. With each day’s reading, we will add a new symbol—an ornament—to our family tree.
Today, is day eight of our journey and our symbol is the Burning Bush.
Years ago, my parents owned a home in North Carolina. The way they got rid of fall leaves and tree trimmings was by placing them in a fire pit and burning them. From a safe distance, I was mesmerized by the flames reaching high into the air and enjoying the smell of the fire.
Today, our reading highlights the life and faith of Abraham’s descendent Moses [the great-nephew of Joseph] and his experience at the burning bush. Moses is mesmerized by the fire, but he is frightened when God speaks from the bush, identifies Himself as “I Am,” proclaims the ground as holy, and calls Moses to lead His people out of Egypt. I am not sure how any of us would have responded to all that, but Moses protests this calling from God by saying, “Who am I to lead your people out of Egypt?”
God designs every human being and directs his or her path; therefore, He knows what He is doing in leading our lives. Sometimes the difficult part for us is getting into agreement with God, because we would more than likely choose different things for our lives. The way God brings Joseph [and the people of Israel] to rule Egypt is a complete surprise, but God’s grace gives Joseph the ability to provide food for them all during a severe famine. Years later, God calls Moses to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt, because they had become slaves to the governing authority and were not free to worship God.
Our lesson reminds us of God’s faithfulness; He is constant and whole—never changes and is always there to love us. God never runs out of power or energy; He is a consuming fire whose love burns on forever. Jesus is the visible image of the invisible God and He wants to be Lord of our lives. Therefore, He will do the unexpected in order to get our attention, too!
Exodus 3:1-6, 10-15 Moses and the Burning Bush
1 One day Moses was tending the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian. He led the flock far into the wilderness and came to Sinai, the mountain of God. 2 There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a blazing fire from the middle of a bush. Moses stared in amazement. Though the bush was engulfed in flames, it didn’t burn up. 3 “This is amazing,” Moses said to himself. “Why isn’t that bush burning up? I must go see it.”
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.
10 Now go, for I am sending you to Pharaoh. You must lead my people Israel out of Egypt.”
11 But Moses protested to God, “Who am I to appear before Pharaoh? Who am I to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt?”
12 God answered, “I will be with you. And this is your sign that I am the one who has sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God at this very mountain.”
13 But Moses protested, “If I go to the people of Israel and tell them, ‘The God of your ancestors has sent me to you,’ they will ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what should I tell them?”
14 God replied to Moses, “I am who I am. Say this to the people of Israel: I am has sent me to you.”
John 8:58 NLT Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, before Abraham was even born, I am!”
John 10:30 NLT “The Father and I are one.”
John 18:4-6 NLT
4 Jesus fully realized all that was going to happen to him, so he stepped forward to meet them. “Who are you looking for?” he asked.
5 “Jesus the Nazarene,” they replied.“I am he,” Jesus said. (Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them.) 6 As Jesus said “I am he,” they all drew back and fell to the ground!
Hebrews 13:8 NLT Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for being constant in love and power. You are faithful and true to love and provide for your creation. Thank you for the lesson of the burning bush. Help us, as your children, to be willing to go and do whatever you have designed us to do. May we be quick to obey. In Jesus’ name. Amen.