“This Moses…”
Stephen’s defense continued as he stood before his accusers…the charge? It was blasphemy against Moses and against God. (Acts 6:11)
Stephen explained himself by using the history of the living God working in and through His people… Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Moses.
Stephen emphasized the work of God through Moses – a magnificent leader prepared by God to be a ruler, judge and deliverer of His people from slavery.
(NASB) Acts 7:35-36 “This Moses whom they disowned, saying, ‘Who made you a ruler and a judge?’ is the one whom God sent to be both a ruler and a deliverer with the help of the angel who appeared to him in the thorn bush.
36 ‘This man led them out, performing wonders and signs in the land of Egypt and in the Red Sea and in the wilderness for forty years.”
“This Moses…” was chosen by God to lead the Israelites to the Promised Land. Was it an easy “no-brainer” of a job? No, it wasn’t. It was difficult. The job description was to lead a very large group of people (estimated to be at least a million) to become a nation. “This Moses…” learned to rely on God in a different way and in difficult circumstances for forty more years.
“This Moses…” pointed the people to Messiah.
(Amplified Bible) Acts 7:37 “It was this [very] Moses who said to the children of Israel, God will raise up for you a Prophet from among your brethren as He raised me up. [Deuteronomy 18:15, 18]”
Messiah, the Son of God (fully God), the Son of Man (fully Man)… a Prophet raised up by the Lord God Almighty from among the Jewish nation. He is the Ruler, the Judge and Deliverer. Moses was a “type” of Christ Jesus (Messiah).
“This Moses…” led God’s people out of slavery… by the power of God.
Messiah leads all who turn to God by faith in Jesus Christ out of the slavery of sin by the power of God.
Jesus is the Messiah, Immanuel (God with us), Savior, coming King, Ruler and Judge.
Do you know Him…intimately, personally?
~ Take it to heart ~
If you need assurance or if you have never received Jesus as your Savior… you can pray a simple prayer such as the following:
Jesus, I am a sinner and I need You to save me. I ask Jesus, that You will come into my life, this moment, and make me a child of God. I need Your mercies and I don’t deserve to be forgiven but You do that so I can live with You in heaven after I die on earth. Thank You for being my Savior now. Thank You for Your merciful love for me. Amen.