By Shane Kastler
No one is saved apart from Jesus Christ. Even Old Testament believers, who lived before Jesus was born, are ultimately saved by the work of Christ. Take Moses for example. Although he is typically equated with the giving of the law on Mt Sinai, he was not saved by law-keeping. No one is. Moses was saved by grace through faith in the coming Christ. The book of Hebrews records: “By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to endure ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, considering the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking to the reward.” (Hebrews 11:24-26 NASB) Moses not only chose suffering over sinful pleasure. He also chose “the reproach of Christ” over acceptance and prestige from pagan Egypt. Though he was raised in Pharaoh’s household, he identified with God’s people and thus identified with the coming Christ.
From the beginning, God’s plan was to save those who are found “in Christ.” Jesus didn’t originate at birth, nor nine months prior. Jesus has always existed as the Divine, Son of God. There was a point in history where he “became flesh and dwelt among us.” (John 1:14) But Jesus existed before Moses did. And even though Moses was born before Jesus, Moses had faith in the Christ who had not yet come. When Jesus came and lived a life of sinless perfection it was judicially credited to the account of every believer, including Moses. And when Jesus died on the cross to pay the price for sin it was judicially accepted by God on behalf of every believer, including Moses.
At the “transfiguration” when Jesus’s glory was manifested to some of his disciples, the Bible says that Moses and Elijah appeared with Jesus. Being the human representative of the “law and the prophets”, they appeared in subordinate roles to the Son of God. Peter suggested building three altars for them; but God the Father spoke saying, “This is my beloved Son. Listen to Him!” (Mark 9:2-8) This wasn’t an insult against Moses or Elijah, it was merely a statement of authoritative fact about who was Lord.
Do you have faith in Jesus Christ? Is this evidenced by your life of holiness and your daily commitment to him? Moses believed in Christ, even though Christ had not come yet. Moses’s belief proved to be well founded. Jesus came once. The Bible says he is coming again and he will receive unto himself all those who have faith in him. Ultimately, Moses was saved because he was a Christian. Hopefully the same can be said of you.
Comments