The Encourager
“Moses and Christ”
Moses and Christ
by Jeff Curtis
The lives of Moses and Jesus Christ have several similarities. The Bible invites us to compare the two, especially in view of the fact that Moses said, “God will raise up for you a prophet like me” (Deut. 18:15), a passage fulfilled by the coming of Jesus (Acts 3:22; John 1:21-25; 6:14; 7:40). What can we learn from these comparisons?
Both Moses and Jesus were born at times of persecution. When we read about the decree of Pharaoh to kill all the male babies in Egypt, our minds jump to another time that this happened – the time when Herod issued an order to have all boys two years and under be put to death (Matt. 2:16). In both situations, God’s messenger – with God’s help – escaped death. When Moses was born, the Egyptian ruler was attempting to kill all the Hebrews’ baby boys. Not long after Jesus was born, the Judean ruler Herod attempted to kill all the male children of Israel. Both Moses and Jesus escaped death, with God’s help.
Both Moses and Jesus lived exemplary lives. Both are spoken of as “humble” (Num. 12:3; Matt. 11:28-30). Both loved their people, gave up personal glory for them, and interceded on their behalf (Exodus 32:11-14; Matt. 23:37-39; John 17).
Of course, there are differences. While Moses lived an admirable life (Heb. 11:23-29), he was guilty of sin (Exod. 2:11-15; Numbers 20:1-13). Jesus, in contrast, lived a sinless life (Heb. 4:15). Moses offered to bear the guilt of the people – an offer the God refused (Exod. 32:32). Yet, Jesus could and could and did bear the sins of people. He did this not for the Jews only, but for all people (Matt. 26:28; 2Cor. 5:21).
Both Moses and Jesus were God’s Spokesman. Through Moses came the Law (John 1:17); but when Jesus came, He became God’s spokesman (Heb. 1:1-2; John 3:34; 7:16-18). In one sense, Christ is the giver of a new law (Gal. 6:2), even though He didn’t institute a “legalistic” system. The two laws were given in different ways; one came through Moses, from a mountain on fire (Heb. 12:18-24); the other was given as Jesus taught quietly from the top of another mountain (Matt. 5-7). Today, we hear Christ rather than Moses (Matt. 17:15; John 1:17; Heb. 1:1-2).
Both Moses and Christ delivered God’s People. Moses came as the great deliverer, the messenger God used to deliver His people out of slavery. Christ also came as a deliverer, to free mankind from the slavery of sin (Luke 19:10; John 8:32). Moses accomplished his task (in part) by sacrificing unblemished lambs (Exod. 12); and Christ accomplished His work by sacrificing Himself (John 10:15-18).
Both Moses and Jesus received a heavenly reward for faithful service. We can’t doubt Moses’ eternal salvation, since he appeared with Jesus at His transfiguration. In a similar way, Jesus, after His death and resurrection, was glorified (Acts 2:36; Philippians 2:9-11). A further difference between Jesus and Moses is that God never promised that anyone would share Moses’ eternal salvation by following him, but Jesus is able and willing to share His glory with those who follow Him (Rev. 3:21).
Finally. Just as many followed Moses and were loyal to the Law, we should be determined – to be loyal to – our Lord Jesus Christ and the revelation that came through Him. If we fail to do so, we are in greater danger than those who failed to listen to Moses’ words (Heb. 2:1-4).
