The Burning Bush: An Advent Study - "I Have Come"

posted by Lisa Laree to Beer Lahai Roi

So I have come down to rescue them... Ex. 3:8a

Is there a more succinct summation of the reason we celebrate Christmas than that simple statement made in Exodus?

Joseph, Son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.  - Matt. 1:20a-21

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.  We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. - John 1:14

But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense -- Jesus Christ the Righteous One.  He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world. - 1 John 2: 1a-2

He has come down to rescue us.

Exodus 3 goes on to describe the rescuing that would happen in Moses' day.  Generalizing a bit, God stated he would rescue the people from their oppressors and take them from the place of slavery to freedom in a land of peace and plenty.

Jesus replied, 'I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin...if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.' - John 8:34,36

There is a huge difference between the rescue through Moses and the rescue through Jesus, though; the Exodus records deliverance of a people as they collectively followed  God's voice through Moses.  The deliverance Jesus offers, however, is personal.  Sure, His sacrifice was on behalf of the entire world that was, that is and that is to come, but it is not a collective deliverance.  It is individual.  Available for each person, who must respond from his or her heart.  It's all too easy to focus on Jesus as a baby and forget that he grew up,  deliberately acted to ensure that ALL the scriptures were fulfilled, and died a most gruesome death.  Because he came to rescue us.

So in the midst of the final Christmas preparations, as we commemorate the coming of Jesus as a baby,  let's remember the bit of the story that he told us to remember...His death.

He has rescued us.

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 'The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel' -- which means, 'God with us.' - Matt. 1:23; / Isaiah 7:14.

HE has come.