SAINT HENRY (OPTIONAL MEMORIAL)

Moses fled . . . and stayed in the land of Midian. 

Every superhero has an origin story. Peter Parker was bitten by a radioactive spider and became Spiderman. Steve Rogers was injected with a secret serum and morphed into Captain America. And Moses? Well, he was a killer and fugitive from justice when God called him to lead his people out of slavery.

That’s not exactly an auspicious start for one of the Bible’s greatest heroes, is it? We might even wonder why this part of Moses’ story was included in the Bible. Wouldn’t it have been better to gloss over the bad stuff and focus only on the good things he did?

Not in the least. In fact, the Bible is quite clear-eyed about Moses’ weaknesses as well as his strengths. We read how he faced down Pharaoh and led the Hebrews out of slavery in Egypt, but we also read about how many excuses he used to try to get out of his calling (Exodus 3:11–4:17). We read how he received the Ten Commandments from God, but we also read how he flew into a rage when he saw the people committing idolatry (32:15-28).

It’s not just Moses either. With the exception of the Virgin Mary and, of course, Jesus, virtually every hero or heroine in the Bible is shown to be a combination of strengths and weaknesses, of sin and righteousness. And that’s exactly the way it should be.

Why? Because the Bible is the story of how God called ordinary people—sinners just like us—to fulfill his plan of salvation. It’s the story of God pouring out his grace on everyday people to help them accomplish great things in his name.

For the next month, we’re going to be reading about Moses and his heroic exploits. As you read, be sure to remember where he came from and some of the ways he fell short of his calling. Remember that Moses was just like you—an imperfect person who cooperated with God’s grace—and that means you can become just like him—a servant who helps build the kingdom here on earth.

“Lord, teach me to welcome your grace so that I can do great things for you just as Moses did.”

Psalm 69:3, 14, 30-31, 33-34
Matthew 11:20-24
Exodus 2:1-15

WORD AMONG US