Easter Devotion — 2026
Link to Easter thought for: 2025, 2024, 2023
April 8, 2026 — Easter 2026 — Audio Essay
Expanding Our Vision of God This Easter.
A devotional thought for The Bible Study Class.
On Easter, something shifts in us. Or at least, it should. We celebrate not just a distant miracle from two thousand years ago, but a reclaiming — God taking back what belongs to Him. This is the moment we expand our vision of who God is and what He means to do with this world.
Most of us grew up imagining God as someone up there — a human-like figure seated somewhere beyond the clouds, separate from us, watching from a distance. It's a comforting picture in some ways, but it's also small. And the Bible won't let us stay there.
A God Bigger Than We Imagine
Scripture keeps pushing us to think bigger. Not just bigger in power, but bigger in presence. The writer of 1 Kings captures it this way: "Heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain You." The prophet Jeremiah adds: "Do I not fill heaven and earth?"
This isn't poetic exaggeration. It's the reality of who God is. Paul writes in Acts 17 that in God "we live and move and have our being." He's not saying God is near us. He's saying God is the very medium in which we exist — like the air we breathe.
Think about that for a moment. You don't breathe near air. You breathe in air. Every breath is an act of being sustained by something beyond yourself. That's the relationship God has to creation. He doesn't hover above it. He sustains it moment by moment, breath by breath. Job says it plainly: "If He withdrew His breath, all flesh would perish." Job 34:14-15
A World Made Good
Here's something we often miss: the world wasn't made to fail. When God looked at creation, He called it good. Really good. The earth, the sky, the creatures, the soil, the stars — all declared to be exactly as they should be.
And then something happened. We happened. Humanity — made in God's image, given dominion over creation — chose to pursue our own path instead of God's. We brought corruption into a world God had called good. We broke what wasn't ours to break.
That's where we live. In a world that is still good — still bearing God's fingerprints, still sustained by His breath — but twisted by sin. We see brokenness everywhere: in nature corrupted, relationships fractured, beauty marred. And sometimes it feels like God has abandoned creation to its fate. But this is precisely where Easter comes in.
Easter Is God Reclaiming What Is His
God is not abandoning creation. He never was. Instead, through the death and resurrection of Jesus, God is reclaiming what belongs to Him. Jesus defeated death itself — the force that holds creation in bondage. Hebrews 2 tells us this explicitly: through Jesus, God "destroys the one who holds the power of death."
Colossians 1 describes it as cosmic: God is "reconciling all things to Himself through Christ." Not some escape hatch for a chosen few. Not leaving creation behind as a failed experiment. But actual, cosmic restoration. 2 Corinthians 5 says the same thing: "God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ."
This is radical. It means God looks at a broken, corrupted world and doesn't see it as beyond saving. He doesn't see creation as a throwaway project. He says: "I'm taking this back. I'm making it new."
God Is Not Abandoning Creation
The final picture Scripture gives us is not disembodied spirits floating in clouds. It's not an escape from creation. Look at Revelation 21 and 22: there's a new creation. New heavens and new earth. Isaiah 65 echoes it: "I will create new heavens and a new earth." Romans 8 tells us that creation itself will be "redeemed" — freed from corruption, not discarded.
Acts 3 calls it "the restoration of all things." Not destruction. Not replacement. Restoration. Like taking something broken and beautiful, cracked and valuable, and making it whole again. That's God's plan.
And We Get to Be Part of It
This is where your life matters. Not in some distant, abstract way. 2 Corinthians 5:18 says we've been given "the ministry of reconciliation." We are partners with God in this work. Ephesians 1:10 reveals God's master plan: to "bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ." And we're invited into that plan.
When you tend a garden, you're participating in God's care of creation. When you reconcile a broken relationship, you're reflecting Christ's reconciling work. When you speak kindness into a broken situation, you're declaring that this world isn't beyond healing. When you work for justice, you're standing with the God who came to make all things new.
Jesus taught us to pray: "Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven." Not "your kingdom is coming someday, so do nothing now." But "your will be done on earth, right now." In this broken world, God's restoration has already begun. We're invited to participate.
Seeing God in Everything
So what does it mean to "see God in everything" this Easter? It means recognizing that God isn't distant from creation — He sustains it with every breath. It means understanding that God didn't make the world just to abandon it, but to reclaim it, restore it, make it new through Christ. It means seeing yourself not as waiting for escape from this world, but as an agent of its healing.
When you expand your vision of God, you stop seeing Him as up there and start seeing Him as the One in whom you live and move. You stop treating creation as a practice ground for the next life and start treating it as God's beloved project — worth restoring, worth healing, worth fighting for.
This Easter, as you celebrate the resurrection, consider: what in your life, your relationships, your community is broken and needs reconciliation? Where are you called to participate in God's restoration? How might you align yourself with His plan to bring all things new?
God doesn't just redeem souls. He redeems worlds. And He invites you to join in the work.
April 20, 2025 - Easter Sunday Greeting
Happy Easter, everyone!
As we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, I’m reminded not only of His victory over the grave, but also of the wonder and beauty of God’s creation. Easter is a time that draws our hearts to reflect on how amazing our God truly is—not only through the gift of salvation, but also in the world He has made.
One memory that stands out to me is a drive through Glacier National Park. Surrounded by majestic mountains, colorful rock formations, towering trees, and incredible wildlife, I couldn’t help but feel a deep sense of awe for our Creator. Nature, in all its beauty, points us back to the One who made it all.
He is risen—He is risen indeed!
Below I am sharing a video that captures a 1:43 hour drive on the Going-to-the-Sun Road Scenic Drive through Glacier National Park in northern Montana. Gwen and I took this drive in the summer of 1999. This video was filmed during the autumn of 2024. I hope you have the time to enjoy the drive and that it blesses you and stirs your heart in worship this Easter season:
March 31, 2024 - Easter Sunday Greeting
Greeting for 2024
Easter is an exciting time to remember who we are and what happened to Jesus Christ. This story encapsulates what is commonly referred to as “Passion Week” or “Holy Week.” We first read of the term Passion Week in the 1300s where the phrase was used to describe the period of trials and sufferings that Jesus experienced culminating with his death and resurrection.
As
we dive into the Easter story we’ll examine each day of Holy Week,
provide reference passages from the gospels, and explore key
thoughts. It is important to remember that Passion Week was not a
haphazard series of events that randomly unfolded. Rather, as Isaiah
teaches us, this was the eternal plan of God to redeem his
creation.
He
was oppressed and afflicted,
yet he did not open his mouth;
he
was led like a lamb to the slaughter,
and as a sheep before its
shearers is silent,
so he did not open his mouth.
By
oppression and judgment he was taken away.
Yet who of his
generation protested?
For he was cut off from the land of the
living;
for the transgression of my people he was
punished. – Isaiah
53:7-8
Note: If there are children in your family you may want to use this link to Bible stories for younger minds
PALM
SUNDAY - Triumphal Entry
Matthew
21:1-11, Mark
11:1-11, Luke
19:28-44, John
12:12-17
Blessed
is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest! –
Matthew 21:9
The
Easter story begins on Palm Sunday where Jesus triumphantly entered
Jerusalem on a donkey being hailed as king. Throngs of people threw
their cloaks on the ground before him, waived palm branches in the
air, and cried out “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the
Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” Hosanna is a Greek word often
translated as “please save us.”
Key Thought: As Jesus
rode into Jerusalem the crowds rejoiced. They saw Jesus as a king who
would save them from the oppression of their Roman rulers. However,
Jesus came not to save them from Rome but from their sins. The work
God seeks to do in our lives is far bigger than our momentary
sufferings or daily struggles. Jesus has come to free us from the
tyranny of sin, to give us new life, and to bring us into the family
of God for all eternity!
MONDAY
- Jesus Cleanses the Temple
Matthew
21:12-17, Mark
11:15-18, Luke
19:45-48
My
Temple will be called a house of prayer,’ but you have turned it
into a den of thieves! – Matthew 21:13
On
the Monday of Holy Week, Jesus visited the temple and found it
overrun with buying and selling but not worship. The Temple was to be
a place of sacrifice, prayer, and revelation, where God’s priests
would make intercession for God’s people. But this is not what
Jesus found. And so Jesus, prior to his great sacrifice, became
angry, overturned the money-changers’ tables, drove them from the
temple, and said “My Temple will be called a house of prayer,’
but you have turned it into a den of thieves!”
Key
Thought: Jesus is passionate about us worshiping God with purity of
heart. When asked what of all God’s commandments was the greatest,
Jesus responded “Love
the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with
all your mind (Matthew 22:37).”
TUESDAY
- Jesus is Questioned by Jewish Leaders
Matthew
21:23-27, Mark
11:27-33, Luke
20:1-8
By
what authority are you doing these things? – Matthew 21:23
The
Easter story continues on Tuesday, where the religious leaders of
Israel questioned the authority of Jesus. In every possible way Jesus
had disrupted the corrupt religious establishment of his day. This
angered the religious leaders. Who did this Jesus think he was? And
so the leaders conspired to trap Jesus, they confronted him, and
demanded to know “By what authority are you doing these things?”
Jesus answered their questions with a series of parables.
Key
Thought: The authority of Jesus is an important question. Who is he?
What right does he have to rule? Why should we listen to him above
all others? C.S. Lewis rightly points out that one who said all of
the things that Jesus said must either be a liar, a lunatic, or Lord.
Jesus is the Son of God! His authority is ultimate. We must either
submit to him as Lord of our lives, or else we are in defiant
resistance of the one who came to save us.
WEDNESDAY
- Judas Agrees To Betray Jesus
Matthew
26:14-16, Mark
14:10-11, Luke
22:1-5
How
much will you pay me to betray Jesus to you? – Matthew 26:15
On
Wednesday, Judas Iscariot (one of Jesus’ 12 disciples) went to the
leading priest to betray Jesus. John 12 tells us that Judas was in
charge of the disciples’ money and would often steal from the money
bag. This greed led Judas to ask a terrible question of the priests
“How much will you pay me to betray Jesus to you?” The priests
offered him 30 pieces of silver and Judas began looking for his
moment of betrayal.
Key Thought: It is easy to look at the
Easter story and paint Judas as the villain. But, truth be told, we
have chosen selfishness over service to God. It is important to
remember that Peter also denied Jesus 3 times. The key is to not let
our failures define us. Instead we should repent of our sins and
receive the forgiveness that God so graciously offers!
THURSDAY
- Last Supper & Arrest in Gethsemane
Matthew
26:17-56, Mark
14:12-51, Luke
22:7-53, John
13:1-38, 18:1-11
Father,
if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours
be done. – Luke 22:42
Thursday,
Jesus gave instructions to his disciples at the Last Supper. On this
day Jesus shared a final Passover meal with his disciples and he
instructed them to eat bread and drink wine in remembrance of him.
This became the foundation of “Communion.”
After
sharing a meal Jesus went to Gethsemane, a garden that sits at the
base of the Mount of Olives. That night he wrestled with his
impending death and he prayed “Father, if you are willing, take
this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” Surrendering
to his Father’s will, Jesus returned to his disciples where Judas
betrayed him with a kiss.
Key Thought: The king of kings
came as a suffering servant. It’s almost too much to understand.
The Savior would wash his disciples’ feet and die a criminal’s
death, not because he had to, but because he chose to. As we seek to
become like Jesus we must follow his example of humility as he
said “the
greatest among you must be a servant. (Matthew 23:11)”
GOOD
FRIDAY - Jesus Tried, Crucified, & Buried
Matthew
26:57-27:61, Mark
14:53-15:47, Luke
22:54-Luke
23:56, John
18:12-19
It
is finished. – John 19:28
Why
would we call the day that Jesus died on the cross “Good Friday?”
There are several ideas, one being that at the time of Jesus’
crucifixion, “good” may have referred to “holy.” And so the
day of Jesus’ great sacrifice was “Holy Friday.” On this day
Jesus was tried before Pilate, whipped, beaten, mocked, hung upon a
cross, and then buried in a tomb.
Key Thought: The
crucifixion of Jesus is beyond comprehension. We can never rejoice
enough that God would come in human flesh and humble himself to the
point of death. Because of this, Jesus is deserving of all of our
praise and worship. This is why Philippians 2:9-11 tells us
“Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the
name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee
should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every
tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the
Father.”
SATURDAY
- Jesus’ Body Lies in a Tomb
Matthew
27:62-66
Go,
make the tomb as secure as you know how. – Matthew 27:65
On
Saturday the Easter story appears to have hit a dead end. The
promised Messiah dead, his body laying in a tomb, sealed shut with a
giant stone. On this day the chief priests and Pharisees petitioned
Pilate to place guards outside the tomb to make sure Jesus’ body
wasn’t stolen. To which Pilate responded “Go, make the tomb as
secure as you know how.”
Key Thought: Saturday is a day
of tension in the Easter story. Will God come through on his promise?
Has evil won? Was all of our hope in vain? In many ways these are the
questions we ask throughout our walk with Christ. Ultimately, in the
silence of Saturday we are called to place our faith in the coming
miracle of Sunday.
EASTER
SUNDAY - Jesus Rises From The Dead
Matthew
28:1-18, Mark
16:1-20, Luke
24:1-49, John
20:1-29
He
isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would
happen. – Matthew 28:6
The crescendo of our Easter
story comes on Easter Sunday, the day our Savior rose from the dead!
The resurrection of Christ is the single greatest event in all of
history. It is the day that God forever broke the power of sin and
death. Through Christ’s great sacrifice evil was conquered and
redemption was made available to all who believe!
Key
Thought: If we are asked “why is Jesus rising from the dead so
important” how would we answer? The truth is, the entirety of the
Christian faith hinges on this event. As Paul states in 1 Corinthians
15:19 “And if our hope in Christ is only for this life, we
are more to be pitied than anyone in the world.” But our
hope goes far beyond this life! Christ has risen to eternal life and
so too shall we who trust him as Lord and Savior!
April 9, 2023 — EASTER SUNDAY
READ: Luke 24:44-49 & Deuteronomy 18:15-22
TEXT FROM ESV (take special note of highlighted text)
Numbers 20
8 "Take the staff, and assemble the congregation, you and Aaron your brother, and tell the rock before their eyes to yield its water. So you shall bring water out of the rock for them and give drink to the congregation and their cattle."
Luke 24
Deuteronomy 18
A New Prophet like Moses
15 "The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your brothers--it is to him you shall listen--
END OF TEXT
Then later that same day, in Jerusalem, Jesus met with a large group of his disciples. And after he opened their eyes to see that he had risen in the flesh, Jesus explained that all of the Scriptures—“the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms”—were fulfilled in him.
For us to see and understand Jesus in the Scriptures, we too need our eyes opened. Although the psalmist couldn’t see Jesus or know what we know about Jesus today, the psalmist certainly understood the need for eyes to be opened to understand God’s Word.
Without our eyes opened, God’s Word can seem like a legalistic code to measure how others—and we—fail to live righteously. With our eyes opened, we see in God’s Word the living God who graciously reveals himself to us. We learn how to live the way God intends for us. We ultimately find the “wonderful things” of God’s grace and mercy—above all, in God’s gift of Jesus—and we live in gratitude for all he has done for us. author — Kurt Selles
In what ways was Moses similar to Jesus?
The life of Moses in many ways parallels the life of Jesus. The role Moses plays in delivering the Israelites from the Egyptians and leading them to the Promised Land God had prepared for them foreshadows Jesus bringing salvation to humanity. In fact, Moses told the Israelites, "The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your brothers—it is to him you shall listen" (Deuteronomy 18:15). This promised Prophet is Messiah—Jesus fulfills that promise. Here are some of the similarities in their stories.Moses and Jesus were both born during times when God's people were oppressed. Moses was born when the Hebrews were slaves in Egypt and Jesus was born when Israel was under Roman rule. They both were hidden as babies because the leaders of the time wanted them dead. Pharaoh ordered all Hebrew males to be murdered to control the growth of the population. When he was three months old, Moses' mother put him in a basket along the Nile river where he was found and adopted by a daughter of Pharaoh (Exodus 2). King Herod feared the prophecies of Jesus' birth and ordered all boys under two be killed in Bethlehem. Jesus' parents fled to Egypt until Herod died (Matthew 2). Moses was adopted from a slave family into a royal family. Jesus is the Son of the Most High (Luke 1:32); He is King of kings and Lord of lords (Revelation 19:16). Yet He took on human flesh and became the adopted son of Joseph (Philippians 2:5–11).
Before beginning their ministry, both Moses and Jesus had a supernatural moment in which God prepared them to go forth. Moses met God at the burning bush and, after some convincing, was filled with God's Word and the power to perform miracles (Exodus 3—4). God said to him, "Come, I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring my people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt" (Exodus 3:10). Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist and, "behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; and behold, a voice from heaven said, 'This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased'" (Matthew 3:16–17). Moses spent forty years in the land of Midian maturing in his faith, forty days and nights on Mount Sinai receiving the Law and fasting, forty days and forty nights fasting and interceding for the Israelites at other times (Deuteronomy 9), and forty years in the wilderness waiting for the Israelites to be able to enter the Promised Land. Jesus spent forty days and nights fasting in the desert resisting the temptation of the Devil (Matthew 4:1–11). Moses worked as a shepherd of livestock in Midian (Exodus 3:1) and Jesus came to be a shepherd of men (John 10:1–18).
During their ministries both Moses and Jesus were leaders. Moses went down to Egypt to lead the people out of the bondage of slavery and into the Promised Land. He acted as a mediator in establishing the old covenant between God and the nation of Israel (Deuteronomy 30:15–18). He was a prophet who spoke God's Word to the people and performed miracles. Moses interceded on their behalf and prayed for them (Exodus 32; Numbers 11:2; 12:13; 21:7). He taught them the Law and acted as a judge. The covenant God gave Moses included the sacrificial rituals and the symbolic role of blood. Moses oversaw the construction of the tabernacle as a place for God to dwell among His people and be worshipped. Moses served his people and was known as meek (Numbers 12:3).
Jesus came down to earth to save humanity from sin and bring people to everlasting salvation and a relationship with God. He established the new covenant, sacrificing His life on the cross so that we might receive forgiveness for our sins (Jeremiah 31:33; Luke 22:20). Jesus fulfilled the words of the prophets and performed miracles. He is our advocate before God that we might be forgiven (1 Timothy 2:5; 1 John 2:1; Ephesians 1:7–10). Jesus fulfilled the Law (Matthew 5:17) and will be the Judge on the final judgment day (Matthew 25:31–46). Jesus was the final sacrifice and His blood overcame death (Hebrews 10:1–18). Jesus gives us direct access to God (Hebrews 4:14–16; 10:19–23; Matthew 27:50–51). Jesus promised the indwelling Holy Spirit to all who put their faith in Him (John 16:7–15; Ephesians 1:13–14). He was authoritative in His teaching and powerful in His miracles. He rebuked the self-righteous leaders of the people (Matthew 23). Jesus welcomed little children and the outcast. He came as a servant who would "give his life as a ransom for many" (Matthew 20:28) and was known as meek (Matthew 11:29).
Moses parted the Red Sea (Exodus 14) and Jesus calmed the Sea of Galilee (Mark 4:35–41) and even walked on it (Mark 6:45–52). Moses offered water to Jethro's daughters (Exodus 2) and Jesus offered water to the Samaritan woman (John 4). Moses fed the Israelites through the miracle of manna and quail (Exodus 16:35) and Jesus fed the 5,000 and the 4,000 by dividing loaves of bread and fish (Mark 6:30–44; 8:1–10). God gave Moses the Law on Mount Sinai; Jesus promised to fulfill that Law (Matthew 5:17). In the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5—7) Jesus gave a new law, expanding on the true essence of the Mosaic Law and addressing the importance of one's heart being right with God. John 1:17 says, "For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ." Jesus later told His disciples, "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this, all people will know that you are my disciples if you have love for one another" (John 13:34–35).
Both Moses and Jesus were close to God. Moses talked face to face with God and had to cover his face after because it was illuminated (Exodus 33:7–11; 34:29). Jesus is the Son of God and part of the Trinity. While on earth He experienced the transfiguration and His face shone brightly (Luke 9:28–36). Moses also appeared at the transfiguration. Moses initiated the Passover tradition so that the Israelites might remember how God delivered them from the Egyptians (Exodus 12). At a Passover meal Jesus instituted communion so that His followers would remember how His sacrifice saved them from their sins (Matthew 17:26–29).
Both Moses and Jesus came to save their people and were rejected by some of those very people. The Israelites grumbled against Moses in the wilderness on multiple occasions (Exodus 15:22–25; 16:2–12; 17:2–7). While Moses was on Mount Sinai the Israelites returned to their idol worship (Exodus 32). Jesus was rejected by the majority of the religious leaders as well as some in His hometown (Luke 4:16–30). When Jesus spoke about being the bread of life, many who had been following Him left (John 6:22–71). Judas, one of the twelve disciples, betrayed Him (Mark 14:10–11). Peter, who had witnessed the transfiguration and often professed his allegiance to Jesus (John 6:68–69; Matthew 16:13–20; Luke 22:31–34), denied knowing Him (John 18:15–18, 25–27). All the disciples fled when Jesus was arrested before the crucifixion (Mark 14:50).
The countless comparisons demonstrating the connection between Moses and Jesus is no coincidence. Moses was a savior of the Israelites intended to foreshadow the only true Savior—Jesus Christ. Moses led the Israelites out of slavery and to the Promised Land. Moses himself was not permitted to enter the Promised Land due to sin, though God showed him the land and buried Moses Himself (Deuteronomy 34). Jesus, on the other hand, frees us from the bondage of sin and makes a way for us to heaven. He will one day return to take us to dwell with Him forever (John 14:1–3; Acts 1:6–11; Philippians 3:20). After describing many faithful men and women, the writer of Hebrews says, "And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect" (Hebrews 11:39–40). God's ultimate promise of salvation is made complete in Jesus Christ, and it will be fully realized when He returns (2 Peter 3:8–9; Revelation 19—22).
While there are numerous similarities between Moses and Jesus, there is one major difference: Moses was only human. Due to his faith in God, he did many amazing things, but ultimately, he was still a sinner in need of forgiveness. Jesus, on the other hand, is both human and God. He lived a perfect life and defeated sin. It is through faith in Him that we can be forgiven and receive salvation. Let us not make the mistake of putting Moses on a pedestal, but rather look to the one he was pointing us to all along—Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 10
1 For I want you to know, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea,MORE TO THINK ABOUT
(The content below is offered to those who want additional reading and is not necessary for class discussion)
In the gospel of Luke, Jesus says to his disciples, “everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled;” and “beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to [his disciples] in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself” (24:44, 27).
Because all the stories of the Old Testament point to, foreshadow, and find their ultimate fulfillment in Jesus, this also means that these stories will have figures, events, traditions, symbols, etc. that will foreshadow Jesus Christ in more or less obvious ways. If we specifically focus on how the Old Testament character, Moses, points to, foreshadows, and prefigures Jesus in many ways. Here are a number of parallels.
- In the gospel of Luke, Jesus says to his disciples, “everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled;” and “beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to [his disciples] in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself” (24:44, 27).
- Because all the stories of the Old Testament point to, foreshadow, and find their ultimate fulfillment in Jesus, this also means that these stories will have figures, events, traditions, symbols, etc. that will foreshadow Jesus Christ in more or less obvious ways. If we specifically focus on how the great Old Testament character, Moses, points to, foreshadows, and prefigures Jesus in many ways. Here are a number of parallels:
- During the time of Moses, Pharaoh ordered a mass killing of every Hebrew baby under the age of 2 years old. During the time of Jesus, King Herod ordered a mass killing of every Hebrew baby under the age of 2 years old.
- Moses came up out of Egypt to redeem his people. Jesus, though born in Bethlehem, at a young age fled with his family to Egypt and stayed there during his youth to avoid Herod’s persecution. And Jesus, too, like Moses, came up out of Egypt to redeem the world.
- Moses was born without shelter, laid into a straw-thatched basket, floated down a river, and was picked up by Egyptian royalty. Jesus too was born without shelter, laid into a straw-filled stable, and was visited by Herodian royalty.
- Moses grew up in the palace of Pharaoh, the highest place of esteem in his culture. Jesus grew up in the synagogues of Jerusalem, the highest place of esteem in his culture.
- Moses was a Hebrew Levite. Jesus too was a Hebrew Levite.
- Moses brought the Israelites out of slavery to Egypt. Jesus brought the Israelites and the world out of slavery to sin and death.
- Moses received the 10 commandments from God on Mount Sinai. Jesus reinterpreted the 10 commandments from God in his Sermon on the Mount.
- Moses carried the law and pointed to the gospel. Jesus fulfilled the law and IS the gospel.
- The Israelites experienced 400 dark years of bondage to Egypt until Moses was born and came to rescue them. The nation of Israel experienced 400 dark years of silence from God until Jesus was born and came to save them.
- Moses went through the wilderness and was doubtful to God before he began his ministry to redeem the Israelites. Jesus went through the wilderness and was tempted by Satan before he began his ministry to redeem the world.
- Moses was royalty in Egypt but left his position of power to serve and save enslaved people. Jesus was royalty in Heaven but left his position of power to serve and save an enslaved world.
- Moses was inconceivably both royalty and slave at the same time, being a prince but also a Hebrew. Jesus is inconceivably both God and man at the same time, being the transcendent Son of God but also a descendent Son of Man.
- God spoke to Moses through a bush that was on fire, but it was not consumed. Similarly, God speaks to us through Jesus’ body on a tree that took the fire of God’s wrath, but he was not consumed.
- Moses parted the Red Sea. Jesus calmed the Sea of Galilee.
- Moses chose 12 spies and sent them into the Promise Land. Jesus chose 12 disciples and sent them to proclaim the truer and better Promise Land, one not of earthly geography under God but one of spiritual restoration with God.
- Moses pleaded that God would feed the thousands of Israelites so they wouldn’t die in the desert; God answered his prayer and miraculously provided more manna and quail from the heavens than they could possibly eat. In fact, there were loads upon loads of leftovers. Jesus pleaded that God would feed the thousands of followers so they wouldn’t starve in the countryside; God answered his prayer and Jesus miraculously provided more bread and fish than they could possibly eat. In fact, there were baskets upon baskets of leftovers.
- God’s covenant was first given to Moses. God’s covenant is finalized in Jesus.
- Moses is the author of the law. Jesus is the author of our faith.
- Moses was the first mediator. Jesus is the final mediator.
- Moses carried around the Ark of the Covenant and the makeshift tabernacle, which contained the presence of God. Jesus IS the presence of God, not limited to four walls or holy places.
- Moses held up a pole with a snake on it, and everyone who looked upon it would be saved from their deadly snakebites. Similarly, Jesus was held up on the cross, and everyone who looks upon it will be saved from sin, the Serpent’s sting of death.
- Moses first initiated the Passover Lamb to absorb the wrath of God. Jesus is the final and ultimate Passover Lamb who fully absorbed the wrath of God for sin once and for all. The Passover Lamb of Moses was simply a shadow of the coming Passover Lamb of Christ.
- Moses turned water into blood. Jesus turned water into wine.
- Moses appropriated the law. Jesus accomplished the law.
- Moses did not marry a full Jew, but actually, a non-Jew who became grafted into the heritage of Israel. Jesus will marry the church, which is not fully Jews but actually non-Jews as well, who became grafted into the saving heritage of Israel.
- Moses led his people to the Promised Land, but not into it. Jesus leads his people to the better Promised Land—reconciliation with God—and will one day usher us into the eternal, ultimate Promised Land—heaven.
- While the Israelites were dying of thirst in the desert, Moses struck a rock, and from the blow, it spewed water to quench their thirst. Similarly, while we are dying of spiritual thirst in the desert of spiritual alienation from God, God struck a better Rock for our sins, Jesus, and from the blow, it spews Living Water to quench our thirst of spiritual alienation from God.