Even Moses Can't Do It Alone
Exodus 18:17-18: "Moses' father-in-law said to him, 'What you are doing is not good. You and the people with you will certainly wear yourselves out, for the thing is too heavy for you. You are not able to do it alone.'"
In the leadership of Moses, we see a foreshadowing of Christ. There are many parallels between the lives of Moses and Christ. They were both set apart at birth to be leaders to their people. Moses was called to lead the nation of Israel out of the bondage of Egypt while Jesus was born to lead the world out of the bondage of sin and death. While there are parallels in their lives, Moses was simply a man to be used by God while Jesus was God who had come in the flesh to dwell among men. Moses would lead faithfully but not perfectly. Jesus would lead both faithfully and perfectly. Moses knew the Israelites as his fellow Hebrews. As the triune God of creation, Jesus knew his people perfectly; he knew their thoughts and understood the motivations of their hearts.
As a limited, fallible man, Moses took the burdens of his people upon himself in a way that he could not carry. Jethro saw the burden and advised Moses to raise up other leaders. Later in the passage, Jethro spoke these words: "If you do this, God will direct you, you will be able to endure, and all this people also will go to their place in peace" (18:23). Moses had to recognize his limitations and to rely on others to judge the people. In receiving help, Moses would then be able to continue his faithful ministry to the people.
Jesus is the only perfect leader. He is the only one who can truly bear the burdens of his people. As Christians, we are called to bear one another's burdens (Galatians 6:2). Like Moses, we must recognize our limitations. Jesus has borne the sins of the world upon his shoulders. He alone is the one who can heal, save, and redeem. Are you looking to him to be the Savior of your family, friends, and loved ones, or are you trying to bear a burden that is not for you to bear?
Even Moses could not do it alone!
Reflection:
Do you take on the burdens of people you love? Have you ever struggled with a savior complex? As people made in the image of God, we are called to come alongside of people and to help bear their burdens. However, the ultimate load belongs on the shoulders of Jesus alone. Is there a burden you need to release to him today?
In the leadership of Moses, we see a foreshadowing of Christ. There are many parallels between the lives of Moses and Christ. They were both set apart at birth to be leaders to their people. Moses was called to lead the nation of Israel out of the bondage of Egypt while Jesus was born to lead the world out of the bondage of sin and death. While there are parallels in their lives, Moses was simply a man to be used by God while Jesus was God who had come in the flesh to dwell among men. Moses would lead faithfully but not perfectly. Jesus would lead both faithfully and perfectly. Moses knew the Israelites as his fellow Hebrews. As the triune God of creation, Jesus knew his people perfectly; he knew their thoughts and understood the motivations of their hearts.
As a limited, fallible man, Moses took the burdens of his people upon himself in a way that he could not carry. Jethro saw the burden and advised Moses to raise up other leaders. Later in the passage, Jethro spoke these words: "If you do this, God will direct you, you will be able to endure, and all this people also will go to their place in peace" (18:23). Moses had to recognize his limitations and to rely on others to judge the people. In receiving help, Moses would then be able to continue his faithful ministry to the people.
Jesus is the only perfect leader. He is the only one who can truly bear the burdens of his people. As Christians, we are called to bear one another's burdens (Galatians 6:2). Like Moses, we must recognize our limitations. Jesus has borne the sins of the world upon his shoulders. He alone is the one who can heal, save, and redeem. Are you looking to him to be the Savior of your family, friends, and loved ones, or are you trying to bear a burden that is not for you to bear?
Even Moses could not do it alone!
Reflection:
Do you take on the burdens of people you love? Have you ever struggled with a savior complex? As people made in the image of God, we are called to come alongside of people and to help bear their burdens. However, the ultimate load belongs on the shoulders of Jesus alone. Is there a burden you need to release to him today?
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