The Greater Moses

The Good Shepherd

Mark 6:45-52

Main Idea: Jesus increases our faith by showing himself to be the greater Moses, who leads his people into a greater exodus.

Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”

Luke 24:44-49

I. The Greater Moses

  • Jesus miraculously feeds the people (Mark 6:30-44)

  • Jesus teaches authoritatively and does miraculous works (Mark 6:2)

  • Jesus leaves the people to go meet with God on a mountain (Mark 6: 45-46)

  • Jesus comes to the rescue of his followers (Mark 6:48, 51)

  • Jesus meets with God and shines radiantly (Mark 9:2-13)

  • Moses miraculously feeds the people (Exodus 16)

  • Moses teaches authoritatively and does miraculous works (Exodus 20 - Ten Commandments, Majority of the Pentateuch)

  • Moses leaves the people to go meet with God on a mountain (Exodus 19)

  • Jesus comes to the rescue of his followers (Exodus 14)

  • Moses meets with God and shines radiantly (Exodus 34:29-35)

And the LORD said to Moses, “This very thing that you have spoken I will do, for you have found favor in my sight, and I know you by name.” Moses said, “Please show me your glory.” And he said, “I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name ‘The LORD.’ And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy. But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for man shall not see me and live.” And the LORD said, “Behold, there is a place by me where you shall stand on the rock, and while my glory passes by I will put you in a cleft of the rock, and I will cover you with my hand until I have passed by. Then I will take away my hand, and you shall see my back, but my face shall not be seen.” Exodus 33:17-23

The LORD descended in the cloud and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the LORD. The LORD passed before him and proclaimed, “The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children’s children, to the third and the fourth generation.” And Moses quickly bowed his head toward the earth and worshiped. Exodus 34:5-8

Thus the LORD used to speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend… Exodus 33:11

II. The Greater Exodus

Thus the LORD saved Israel that day from the hand of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore. Israel saw the great power that the LORD used against the Egyptians, so the people feared the LORD, and they believed in the LORD and in his servant Moses. Exodus 14:30-31

but when they saw him walking on the sea they thought it was a ghost, and cried out, for they all saw him and were terrified. But immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” [51] And he got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased. Mark 6:49-51a

“The first time Jesus calmed the sea in Mark, the account ends with the disciples asking, ‘Who then is this’ (Mark 4:41). In Mark’s second account of Jesus calming the sea, two chapters later, this question is answered.”

-Dane Ortlund

And Moses said to the people, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.” Exodus 14:13-14

“And they were utterly astounded, for they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened.” Mark6:51b-52

What are you thinking?

What are you feeling?

What are you believing?

“I’ve learned to kiss the wave that throws me against the rock of ages.”

Charles Spurgeon

()