Since the beginning of the new year I have been reading through the Bible. Three chapters a day throughout the week, then five chapters on Sunday. Genesis is always so much fun to read, replete with captivating narratives and relational situations that draw you in. Then comes Exodus, without doubt one of my favorite books of the Bible. It just amazes me how much I see Jesus in the types and shadows of the Exodus. What a blessing to be able to read a document that is so ancient in nature and be able to see the hand of God at work in laying the groundwork for our great salvation.
Not only are types and shadows of Jesus prevalent in Exodus, the Christian life can also be seen in the lives of the Children of Israel. Sadly enough the church in America (not all churches or Christians) can be easily seen in the desert marching of the Children of Israel. We are happy when things are going well and fit into the plan that we have for our lives. Things are great when God is doing miraculous things around us and supernaturally sustaining through His great power. We love our leaders and the the people of God as long as they do not disagree with our prospective or get in the way of what we have going on. Through the waters of the Red Sea they went, baptized out of slavery and bondage in Egypt. Being led by a supernatural power the would part seas and bring water from a rock to satisfy the thirsty multitude. Want meat? The quail will be here in the morning! Want land flowing with milk and honey? Its already yours, you just need to shut your mouths and stop talking about how great it was back in Egypt. You cannot enter the promised land when you are still mentally enslaved by the gods of Egypt. The promised land was promised to people that would properly represent the promiser. As I was reading Exodus this time, I starting asking questions like, would those people who died in the wilderness been better off if they had stayed in Egypt? Did any of the Children of Israel make their way back of Egypt or was it all just talk? Although their bodies were out of Egypt, Egypt was still inside of them and it is impossible to posses the promises of God when you are filled up with anything but God.
I see Christians everyday that struggle with the same problem. From the youth group to friends and family, the common trend is they are just not ready to part ways with the world. Friends with Pharaoh and followers of Jesus? It just does not work that way. We will never be satisfied in our Christan walk until we understand that there is nothing for us in Egypt. Nothing! Following Christ is an all or nothing proposition, you either do it with all of you or you just don't do it. Taking up the cross of Christ or choosing not to is not an option for Christians. Christians take up the cross and follow Jesus. In fact that is what it means to be a Christian or Christ follower. We need to get over the idea that people can walk down an isle and repeat a prayer, live like the devil, and end up in Heaven. When Jesus comes into a life, that life changes. A life not changed by the presence of Jesus did not have an experience with the real Jesus. People who subscribe to a phony, fit in with the church crowd, kind of Christianity are no better off then the desert wanderers in Exodus. They may be following God to a certain degree and living for him when it feels like the thing to do. They may lift their voices with the faithful praising God when His presence is unavoidable and overwhelming, but what about serving Him because He is Holy? What about loving Him because He first loved you? What about ridding yourself of the stain of Egypt and putting on garments that are white and clean and proper for the presence of the ALL POWERFUL GOD? Are you all in? Have you given up on Egypt or are you still hording a place in your heart for a trip back there?
If you need rest the answer is not back in Egypt. The answer is in the loving arms of your creator. You cannot find peace without Christ. You must give Him your all or you will retain it all. Your shoulders are not that strong. His are!
Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matt 11:28-30
The New King James Version. 1982 (Mt 11:28–30). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
