Introduction
There are some people today who listen to the voices of Moses and Elijah, better known as the law and the prophets in the Old Testament or the old covenant. Not fully understanding in the new covenant or New Testament, it is all about hearing the voice of the resurrected Son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Our Bible passage for this segment comes from John 10:3-4 says, “To him, the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.”
Here are two questions:
- Why does God want us to hear only the voice of Jesus?
- Why are we to focus on Jesus and grow in the knowledge of His grace?
Because neither the law nor the prophets hold the answer to our deepest cry for intimacy and peace with God. To enjoy His presence and power in every area of our lives. If you look at the Scriptures, you will see Moses and Elijah did mighty exploits. Both were great men of God but still failed in the end.
Failures of Moses and Elijah
Toward the end of his life, Moses hit the rock twice in disobedience, yelled at the people, spoke unadvisedly with his lips out of anger and impatience, and wound up not being allowed to enter the promised land (Numbers 20:10-13). A sad way for his ministry to end.
Why were the consequences of Moses’ actions so severe? Because he misrepresented God. He represented God as angry and judgmental toward His people when God loved and cared for them. God told Moses to only speak to the rock, not strike it in anger. As preachers of God’s Word, we need to be very accurate in how we represent God.
What about Elijah? Despite amazing victories and evidence of the power of God in his ministry, he thought Jezebel was greater than God and fled from her. In 1 Kings 19, his ministry ended in depression and discouragement with his mantle going to Elisha.
Success through Lord Jesus
In comparison, where the law and the prophets failed, our Lord Jesus succeeded. Look at this beautiful prophecy of the Messiah in Isaiah 42:1, 3–4:
“Behold! My Servant whom I uphold, My Elect One in whom My soul delights… A bruised reed He will not break, And smoking flax He will not quench; He will bring forth justice for truth. He will not fail nor be discouraged.”
- Where Moses failed, Jesus will not fail nor be discouraged.
- Moses was impatient, but Jesus is patient with everyone especially when we make mistakes and fail.
- Moses failed to bring God’s people into the promised land, but Jesus finished the work His Father sent Him to do and ushered us into all of God’s blessings and promises (Ephesians 1:3, 2 Corinthians 1:20).
- Where Elijah became discouraged, Jesus was not discouraged even by people’s repeated rejection of Him.
Conclusion
Jesus is our rock and your fortress when you are feeling discouraged. All the greatest men of God in the Old Testament put together cannot compare with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!
This is God’s beloved Son and today He says to you, “Arise. Stand in My righteousness and be lifted up from defeat.” In the same way, Jesus could touch a man with leprosy and make him whole. He can touch any area of deformity, weakness, or shame in your life and transform it into wholeness and strength by His grace, Amen!
I am Dale Van De Bogart and I approve of this message!
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