There’s a cute little story of Moses appearing in the Rose Garden of the White House. When the White House staff recognized this important visitor, they quickly rushed in and told the President. He too was impressed and so he rushed out to welcome Moses. But to everyone’s shock, the very moment that Moses laid eyes on ‘W’ – our President, Moses turned his back on him and started walking away. The President called after Moses, but no dice – Moses just kept walking away. So, the President turned to Vice President Cheney and instructed him to go after the prophet and figure out why his knickers were in such a twist. And so the VP ran after Moses - calling out to him. Well to his and everyone else’s surprise, Moses stopped and turned around. When Vice President Cheney reached Moses, he asked him, “Moses, why did you turn your back on the President of the United States and walk away from him?” “You want I should talk to him? What, do I look like a sap? The last time I spoke with a bush I ended up wandering in the desert for 40 years!”
Most of you have probably figured out we are going to be looking at the Old Testament Lesson today. The story of Moses at the burning bush is a well-known story that is rich in theological content. Today we will focus on three thoughts from this lesson. Each will be addressed by considering the following questions: 1) What makes holy ground holy? 2) What qualifies a person to answer God’s call to ministry? And, 3) What enables people to accomplish what God sends them to do?
OK, the first question: What makes holy ground holy? When Moses was called to serve God, he was tending a flock around Mount Horeb. The territory there was rugged. ‘Horeb,’ in fact, means: ‘dry, desert or desolate.’ In very many ways, the place where Moses was walking was very ordinary and common – nothing special. And it is there that a bush on fire caught the eye of Moses. In the middle of this desolate, semi-desert scene, Moses approached the burning bush. Then God called to him saying: “Moses, do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” (Exodus 3:5)
Now remember, we’re not talking about a place that looked especially hallowed. Rocks, sand and brush were the most obvious accoutrements. And yet, we know that Moses took what he heard from God seriously. Verse 6 of our text tells us that, “Moses hid his face because he was afraid to look at God.” (Exodus 3:6) Moses believed that he was on holy ground. But it wasn’t holy by nature. It wasn’t it’s location that made it holy. It was holy ground because of the divine presence of God.
We are a few months away from having to move away from this location. As we contemplate having to move from this place, I am certain that there is some sadness. But I say to you, beloved, it isn’t the stained glass, nor the pews nor the cathedral ceiling that make this the house of God. What makes this holy ground is the presence of Jesus who promises to be where his people gather in his name. It is the presence of the Holy Spirit working through his Word and bringing forgiveness and new life through the waters of baptism. It is God bringing forgiveness, peace and assurance when believers gather to receive the true body and blood of the Savior.
There is nothing in the stones, glass and wood that make this sanctuary holy. It is God and his presence that make this holy ground. The place that we move too will be holy because God will be there to. If we worship out of a tent – as the Israelites did while they wandered in the desert - it will be holy because of God’s presence. If we worship in a fine sanctuary like this one, it will be holy because of God’s presence. So, what makes holy ground holy? God does! It is his presence that causes a place to be holy.
Second question: What qualifies a person to answer God’s call to ministry? When we wade into these waters, we need to do so with care. Certainly we don’t want to minimize the giftedness of a person who brings many gifts and skills to ministry. God can use those for his ends. But at the same time, we don’t want to say that a person who doesn’t seem to be especially gifted, isn’t qualified for God’s service. People don’t have to be incredibly eloquent, musical or super intellectual to enter into ministry. Why? Because ministry really isn’t about us! Holiness – being fit to serve others in ministry – also comes from God! As people are washed in Christ’s forgiveness and called to the Lord’s service, God qualifies them to answer his call. What we bring or not bring to the table is not the key: it is what God brings through those He has forgiven and called to serve.
In our text today we read that God called Moses to serve Him – to go to Egypt and free his people from slavery. Moses responded to the Lord, “Who am I, that I should go?” He had a deep sense of his own limitations – a humility and even a hesitation born out of life experiences that – well, just didn’t turn out too well for him when he had tried to help the Hebrew slaves. You see, many years before, when Moses was a prince of Egypt, he had killed an onerous man who had mistreated one of the Hebrew slaves. He had taken the situation into his own hands. He had acted with his own might and in arrogance. But it didn’t work. And so he had fled into the desert. You see, Moses had acted when it wasn’t God’s time. It wasn’t God’s call that Moses had initially heeded.
But now, standing before the burning bush, Moses was a much more humble person. He really understood that he brought nothing special to the table. His wisdom, strength and intelligence were not a factor. And so he said, “Who am I, dear God, that I should go?” God came to him and took him where he was. Moses’ limitations didn’t matter because, you see, God was calling him. God made Moses fit for the task. Can’t speak clearly, Moses? Take Aaron along. Don’t have confidence that you can do the job? Don’t sweat it, Moses, I will be with you every step of the way. The folks in Egypt won’t believe you, Moses? Hey, just tell them that I AM has sent you. Tell them that the God of theirs fathers, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is the One doing this great thing - and they will believe you.
What qualified Moses to answer God’s call to ministry? Was it his gifts and his skills? No! It was God who made him fit to enter the call. It was God who consecrated him and sent him. And beloved, it is God who qualifies you for serving Him too.
And the final question: What enables people to accomplish what God sends them to do? The person that was tagged to lead the organizational effort for the 1984 Olympics was a fellow by the name of Peter Ueberroth. Everybody knew that things would go well because Ueberroth was a highly intelligent, articulate and even handsome man with extraordinary gifts. And true to expectations, the 1984 Olympics were well-organized and went mostly without a hitch. Subsequently, Ueberroth became Time Magazine’s man of the year and was also was named Major League Baseball commissioner. Peter Ueberroth is a talented guy. Folks know that he will bring focus, ability and gravitas to any effort in which he is involved.
Why didn’t God pick a Peter Ueberroth to free his people? Why is it that God would look at Moses - a sinner - a man who had been one of the elite in a pagan civilization; who had killed another man out of anger; who wasn’t articulate; who, it seems, had a problem with self-confidence? Why would God choose Moses to serve Him in the critical task of liberating the Hebrew slaves – his people?
Why would God consider the likes of a murderous Saul of Tarsus and call him to be the Apostle to the Gentiles? Let’s make it more personal, why would God look to a sinner like me and privilege me to speak his word to others? - Why not a ‘Peter Ueberroth of holiness’ with all kinds of gifts ready to deploy for ministry?
Let’s go one step further: Why ‘words’ to proclaim the Gospel of salvation? Why not employ the most trustworthy mediums of communication – secure digital networks or mass communications facilitated through satellites? More than that, why use water – the most ‘common’ compound on earth – and tie it to the Word to bring forgiveness? Why not gold or platinum? Why use people – broken people at that – instead of angels to be the ones called to be in ministry?
Look at the way that God works, beloved: He overcame through the weakness of the Cross instead of using legions of angels to defeat satan! He delights in using the weak things and the things that are despised to accomplish his incredible ends. Beloved, when the weak and humble means - fisherman, broken people, a common thing like water tied to the Word, bread and wine tied to the Word - when these things accomplish incredible feats then we know that it is God at work!
God says, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9) God working in and through the weakest of means is what enables incredible things to happen for the Kingdom. In Jesus and in his forgiveness we are washed and made fit to be God’s instruments through whom God will accomplish amazing things.
When you leave this holy ground, beloved, go and “Bind up the brokenhearted. Proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners. Go and proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor.” (Isaiah 61:1b-2a) And know that Jesus, who gave his life for you, will be with you and use you to accomplish amazing things. Amen.
