One day, in the presence of Moses and the people of Israel, God came down with fire and thunder on Mount Horeb to deliver the Ten Commandments. People were beside themselves with fear. Terrified, they were too shocked to listen to God’s message (Exodus 20:18-19):
“When the people saw the thunder and lightning and heard the trumpet and saw the mountain in smoke, they trembled with fear. They stayed at a distance and said to Moses, “Speak to us yourself and we will listen. But do not have God speak to us or we will die.”
The Lord’s response to the people’s fearful reaction was later recorded. Moses wrote (Deuteronomy 18:17-18):
“The Lord said to me: ‘What they say is good. I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their fellow Israelites, and I will put my words in his mouth. He will tell them everything I command him.’”
About 1443 years later, Jesus was born. He grew up to become a mighty man of God who quickly grew a following. When Jesus called Philip to follow Him, Philip went to break the news to Nathanael. (John 1:45-46):
Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”
“Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asked.
“Come and see,” said Philip.
Nathanael’s response is classic. Certainly, a carpenter’s son from a humble town is not the kind of Messiah people have expected. – A catch 22, isn’t it? People are either too overwhelmed or too underwhelmed to listen to what God has to say.
Meanwhile, centuries have passed and people are still discussing the phenomenon of Jesus of Nazareth. Who is to say that Jesus is more than a prophet? How do we know that He is the Son of God? I believe that this is something we will have to find out for ourselves; Of course, there are many different voices out there competing for our attention. However, one distinctive voice stands out and brings peace and clarity. It’s the still quiet voice of the Holy Spirit.
Our part is to step back, take our time, focus and listen, and the Spirit of God will speak to our hearts. This is why Jesus says (Matthew 7:7):
“Seek and you will find.”
When we seek Him out we will certainly find Jesus. He is ready to meet with you and me in a heartbeat. He was born ready.
What angels have to say
But this is such a strange
Way to save the world”
Songwriters: David Allen Clark / Donald A. Koch / Mark R. Harris
