Midweek Message from the Archive
The Third Person- Part Two
Last week I talked about the backstory role of the Holy Spirit. Now we find this hovering Presence of God (Gen. 1:2) descending on individuals with specific assignments from God. Moses was designated from conception to receive a Christ-like assignment to bring rescue to God’s people. His story began in Ex. 3:2 when he received a visitation from the Angel of the LORD, Jesus, in the midst of a burning bush and during that conversation Moses accepted his mission.
Jesus referred to this divine encounter in Mark 12:24-26 while speaking of the Scriptures and the power (dunamis) of God. Since God doesn’t have a past, present, or future, Jesus taught, the God that visited Moses remains the God Who died for you, rose again, and is returning one day. He’s God of the living and promised that same spiritual power to rescue us; He hasn’t changed.
As Moses’ assignment progressed he drew on that power to complete his mission. Since he didn’t have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit as New Testament believers, God visited Him again. Ex. 24:15-18 shows us Moses experiencing a face-to-face encounter with God. It was a devouring fire that didn’t consume him but caused a shekinah or visible manifestation of being with God: glory.
When Moses returned from his mountaintop experience with the Holy Spirit, his face was shining because he’d been talking with God (Ex. 34:29). Can you see where I’m going? The temporary glory that was seen on Moses’ face was a supernatural manifestation yet only a foretaste of what’s available with God today.
Paul wrote in 2 Cor. 3:7-18 that the glory shining on Moses’ face would fade away as the Old Covenant (Heb. 8:6), a ministry of death and condemnation, passed away as well. The ministry of the Spirit, the Third Person, has even more, exceedingly more, much more, surpassing more, preferably more, and much better glory. I’m using this exaggeration to put emphasis on the intentional work of the Spirit and to magnify His ministry in our lives.
The role of the Holy Spirit in Moses’ life was powerful yet temporary. On the other hand, His role in our life far surpasses what Moses had because it is permanent. We walk in His glory every day, at home, at work, out shopping, visiting friends, etc. Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to remind yourself throughout the day, wherever you are, of His transforming presence moving you, hovering over you, bringing you from one degree of glory to another. This metamorphisis (transformation) is a gradual yet continuous walk, step by step, with the Third Person: the Spirit of God.
Don’t lose heart, you have the light of the knowledge of the glory God in the face of Jesus Christ every time you’re in His presence. Just close your eyes and breathe Him in; enter into His Presence every day.
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