The Jesus Bible Reading PlanSample

MY LIFE FOR THEIR LIVES

Moses begged God to forgive the sin of the people, offering to give his life as a substitute for theirs should God so desire. The inexcusable sin of making and worshiping the golden calf prompted the righteous judgment of God. How could a people who had so recently been the recipients of the might and power of God decide to do such a thing? The inexplicable nature of this sin highlights the foolishness of all sin and the necessity of God’s judgment.

Yet, as always, God’s grace shone through. He did not blot Israel from the face of the earth, though he would have been justified in doing so. He was faithful to his covenant and sustained the nation, though he judged those who sinned against him. In his request, Moses recognized that someone must die for these sins, and he asked God to allow a substitute. But what they needed was a perfect substitute — one who was without sin and capable of offering himself to God as an unblemished sacrifice. They needed Jesus, the one who could do what Moses could not — namely, offer himself for sin, not merely for Israel, but for all of God’s people forever.

Jesus, how quickly I forget what you’ve rescued me from. Point out the golden calves in my life, and help me to get rid of them. Amen.