SAINTS JOACHIM AND ANNE, PARENTS OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY (MEMORIAL)

Perhaps I may be able to make atonement for your sin. 

Someone appealing to God on behalf of sinners. Someone interceding for a guilty people. It sounds like Jesus, doesn’t it? In fact, this is how today’s first reading (Exodus 32:15-24,30-34) describes Moses, even as it foreshadows Jesus and what he would accomplish when he died and rose from the dead for us. So let’s take a closer look at Moses’ role as intercessor to see what we can learn about Jesus.

When the people of Israel made the golden calf and bowed down in worship before it, they essentially cut themselves off from God. They chose a pagan idol over the unseen God who had just released them from slavery. Their break with God was so clear that they couldn’t do anything on their own to bridge the gap they had created. So Moses chose to act as the people’s representative before God and appealed to him on their behalf. Similarly, when we were cut off from God because of our sin, Jesus chose to become man so that he could appeal to God and restore us to friendship with him.

Moses didn’t mince words when he spoke to God about Israel’s “grave sin” (Exodus 32:31). Instead of trying to justify it, he acknowledged it and asked God to show mercy. So too Jesus accepted the full brunt of our sin. He did not sugarcoat or excuse our actions but appealed to his Father’s mercy.

Finally, Moses himself hadn’t worshipped the golden calf, but he humbly approached God on behalf of those who did. He joined himself to his people in their cry for mercy and offered to let God “strike [him] out of the book that you have written” (Exodus 32:32). Jesus, though blameless, freely carried the weight of our sin and offered himself on our behalf.

Let this sink in. Moses “saved” Israel when they had broken their relationship with God. Jesus is the Savior of all humanity. He has won an even greater salvation, an eternal salvation for everyone. And he did it for you.

“Thank you, Jesus, for all that you did to save me!”

Psalm 106:19-23
Matthew 13:31-35
Exodus 32:15-24,30-34

WORD AMONG US