God told Moses to stand back so He could wipe the rebellious Israelites off the face of the earth, and He would start a new nation with Moses. This may have been God’s way of inviting Moses to speak up for the people. If it were, Moses didn’t miss the cue. Although the people of Israel grumbled against Moses and were difficult, Moses stepped forward as the mediator they needed. But don’t just marvel in what Moses did, look at how he did it.

Notice that as Moses pleaded for the people, his argument for sparing the people was comprised of three main points: They were God’s people; God would not be glorified if He were to wipe them out; and God had made promises to this people. Not a single argument was made on behalf of the people.

So it is with the Gospel. Christ is our mediator – a greater One – and He makes constant appeal to the Father on our behalf. Not based on what we have done or might do, but on what He has done and the righteousness He has given us.

• How might you be prone to try to rest in your work instead of Christ’s work on your behalf? Why?