I remember reading this quote back in 2005 and still ponder it often:

“If you could have heaven, with no sickness, and with all the friends you ever had on earth, and all the food you ever liked, and all the leisure activities you ever enjoyed, and all the natural beauties you ever saw, all the physical pleasures you ever tasted, and no human conflict or any natural disasters, could you be satisfied with heaven, if Christ was not there?”*

This question might seem a little strange to us.  For Moses, it was a real test. Recently, I was reading through Exodus and came to the account of Israel’s worship of the golden calf.  God had delivered his people out of slavery and was taking them to a land of milk and honey.  He had just given Moses instructions on how to build the tabernacle, the place where he would draw near to his precious people.  And what did the people do?  Break the first two commandments that God had just given them.

Moses heads up the mountain again to see if God might have mercy: “I will ascend to the Lord.  Perhaps I can make atonement for your sin” (Exod. 32:30).  Arriving in God’s presence, Moses pleads their case: “Now if you will forgive their sin – but if not, please blot me out of your book” (Ex. 32:32).  Just as humanity had been blotted out in the days of Noah (Gen. 6:7), Moses offers his life in the place of rebellious Israel.

The Lord’s response, however, is fascinating.  His Presence will not go with Israel into the land, but his warrior angel will drive out the other nations (Exod. 33:2-3).  So God tests Moses.  God offers him the Promised Land, the blessings of prosperity, a great name, and the fatherhood of a nation.  Will he take the offer?  Land, safety, and prosperity are all offered, but Moses doesn’t want it: “If your presence  will not go with me, do not bring us up from here.  For how shall it be known that I have found favor in your sight, I and your people?  Is it not in your going with us, so that w are distinct, I and your people, from every other people on the face of the earth?” (Exod. 33:15-16).

Moses had already forsaken the wealth of Pharaoh’s home and the treasures of Egypt (Heb. 11:24-26).  Better God’s Presence in the wilderness than his absence in the Land.  The goal was never the Land.  The goal has always been to be in God’s Presence.

What God has done to bring us near is nothing short of staggering.  Heaven and earth have been moved.  God has come down, suffered, and died so that you might not die away from his Presence.

As we come to Palm Sunday, let us not forget the songs of the pilgrims who ascended with Jesus to the holy hill, singing, “Hosanna!  Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” (Mk. 11:9).  Won’t you prepare your heart to ascend God’s holy hill so that the King of Glory may come in (Ps. 24:3, 9)?

 

See you Sunday,

~Pastor Andrew

 

*John Piper, God is the Gospel.  Wheaton: Crossway, 2005, p. 15.

 

 

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