The Jesus Bible Reading PlanSample

CHOOSE LIFE

At the end of his life, knowing that he would die without ever entering the promised land, Moses once again held out the covenant promises of God to the nation of Israel. In many ways, the challenge to “choose life, so that you . . . may live” (v. 19) is as old as mankind. In the garden, God held out the same promise to Adam and Eve (Ge 2:15 – 17), though they made the foolish choice and pursued death. Ever since, all people have been trapped in a cycle of sin. Certainly there have been times when people returned to God, but these seasons have been short-lived.

Moses, at this point the leader of God’s people for 40 years, knew full well the inability of the people to choose life that they could live. Throughout their journey, they had consistently murmured against God, doubted Moses’ leadership and been given over to death and destruction. Moses began his final sermons to the people of God on the plains of Moab with a vivid recounting of the gory details of their rebellion in chapter 1 of this very book. Even Moses, the great deliverer, had been unable to consistently choose life; therefore he died without ever stepping foot on the ground that he had been pursuing for 40 years (3:21 – 29).

Yet, he again reminded the people of their need to choose life. By this point, the entire generation that scorned the promises of God and were forced to wander in the wilderness had died. This new generation could vividly remember the death of their parents in these wilderness years. They now were faced with a decision: Would they follow in the path of their ancestors, disobey God and die — or would they be a new generation who trusted God, walked in his ways and lived bountifully in the land of promise?

Jesus’ life and ministry ushered in hope for all those trapped in the cyclical pattern of sin and death. He fulfilled God’s promises to the people by giving them a path to life. John wrote that Jesus claimed to be “the way and the truth and the life” (Jn 14:6). By coming to him, people can find the path to life, not through conformity to a system of rules, but by submission to the person of Christ. In him is life and life to the full (Jn 10:10).

Jesus, I want to choose life. I want to choose you. Help me to make each decision for you, so that I don’t fall into the cyclical pattern that causes so much suffering. Amen.