Sunday 23 March 2025

Today is Sunday the 23rd of March, the 3rd Sunday of Lent.

Bethel Music sing a version of ‘Way Maker’ by Sinach. Today, we will reflect with Moses at the burning bush. You might like to begin by bringing this scene into your mind. Perhaps you can let the words of this song help you…

You are here
Moving in our midst
I worship you, I worship you
You are here
Working in this place
I worship you, I worship you
Way maker, miracle worker
Promise keeper, light in the darkness
My God, that is who you are
Way maker, miracle worker
Promise keeper, light in the darkness
My God, that is who you are
You are here
Touching every heart
I worship you, I worship you
You are here
Healing every heart
I worship you, I worship you
You are here
Turning lives around
I worship you, I worship you
You are here
Mending every heart
I worship you, I worship you
Way maker, miracle worker
Promise keeper, light in the darkness
That is who you are
You wipe away all tears
You mend the broken heart
You're the answer to it all
Jesus
Way maker, miracle worker
Promise keeper, light in the darkness
My God, that is who you are
You are here
Touching every life
I worship you, I worship you
You are here
Meeting every need
I worship you, I worship you

Today’s reading is from the Book of Exodus.

Exodus 3:1-8, 13-15

Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian; he led his flock beyond the wilderness, and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of a bush; he looked, and the bush was blazing, yet it was not consumed. Then Moses said, ‘I must turn aside and look at this great sight, and see why the bush is not burned up.’ When the Lord saw that he had turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, ‘Moses, Moses!’ And he said, ‘Here I am.’ Then he said, ‘Come no closer! Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.’ He said further, ‘I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.

Then the Lord said, ‘I have observed the misery of my people who are in Egypt; I have heard their cry on account of their taskmasters. Indeed, I know their sufferings, and I have come down to deliver them from the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land to a good and broad land, a land flowing with milk and honey, to the country of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites.

But Moses said to God, ‘If I come to the Israelites and say to them, “The God of your ancestors has sent me to you”, and they ask me, “What is his name?” what shall I say to them?’ God said to Moses, ‘I am who I am.’ He said further, ‘Thus you shall say to the Israelites, “I am has sent me to you.” ’ God also said to Moses, ‘Thus you shall say to the Israelites, “The Lord, the God of your ancestors, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you”:

This is my name for ever,
and this my title for all generations.

In the ancient world, fire was a mysterious presence from another world, a corridor between heaven and earth. It was fire which consumed the sacrifice, taking it to God’s abode. To this day, we often use a candle to signify that God is present. A burning bush on God’s holy mountain serves as a powerful reminder to Moses of a forgotten truth – that God is here, with us, in our world, seeking to draw men and women into relationship with Himself. So today I ask myself, when have I found myself powerfully reminded that God was with me? …When have I heard God call my name? … what helps put me in touch with that presence?

As you hear the passage again now, notice how the sense of presence is also a challenge, a mission for Moses. He is already a shepherd, a guide, but what is being asked of him now is a lot more than he is used to. Is this also part of your recent experience of God’s presence?

Moses speaks intimately to God, expressing his doubts and concerns without any hint of embarrassment: take a few moments now to do the same, to get that same kind of conversation going with God.

You have given all to me
To you, Lord, I return it
Everything is Yours
Do with it what You will
Give me only Your love and Your grace
That is enough for me
Amen