0268. THE ENDURING SIGHT.

THE ENDURING SIGHT.

"By faith Moses forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king,for he endured, as seeing Him who is invisible" (Heb_11:27).

There may be much sight-seeing and yet few enduring sights. Peter, James, and John never forgot the sight of their transfigured Lord. Saul never forgot the sight he saw on the way to Damascus. A saving look at Jesus is always a memorable and enduring sight.

I. This is a Glorious Sight-seeing Him. Moses saw this wondrous sight at the burning bush when the "God of glory appeared unto Him" (Exo_3:2), and said, "I am come down to deliver" (Exo_3:8). In the flame he beheld the King immortal and invisible. This is what we see in Jesus Christ. God came down to deliver, God in Christ seeking to save the lost. It is a glorious sight, though humbling and awful.

II. This is a Transforming Sight.

When Moses turned aside to see this great sight (Exo_3:3-10) it was the turning-point in his life. The purpose and attitude of his life toward God were now for ever changed. It is impossible to look upon God in Christ without being transformed. No man can see Jesus and remain the same as before. When Saul saw Him he fell to the earth.

III. This is a Separating Sight.

"He forsook Egypt" (Heb_11:27). It was after Isaiah had seen the Lord that he was made willing to cry, "Here am I, send me" (Isa_6:8). A sight of the glorified Jesus is a soul-blinding sight, as far as the world and the pleasures of sin are concerned. "Who is blind as My servant, or deaf as the messenger that I send?" (Isa_42:19).

IV. This is an Inspiring Sight.

"Not fearing the wrath of the king" (Heb_11:27). Moses had not yet seen God when he "fled from the face of Pharaoh" (Exo_2:15). Seeing God saves from the fear of man. Look at the faithful Micaiah (1Ki_22:14). Elijah, while standing before God, was above the fear of Ahab (1Ki_17:1). A sight of Jesus Christ saves not only from the fear of man, but also from the fear of death and of judgment.

V. This is a Sustaining Sight.

"He endured as seeing Him" (Heb_11:27). Think of how much Moses had to endure at the hands of his wife, of Pharaoh, and his unbelieving brethren. In this life there will be much to suffer. The secret of the Christian’s enduring strength lies in looking unto Jesus. They looked unto Him and were lightened.

VI. This is a Satisfying Sight.

"He esteemed the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt" (Heb_11:26). Paul gladly suffered the loss of all things seeing Him who is invisible. A Christian can suffer no real loss while in touch with the unsearchable riches of Christ. How much value do we set upon the riches of the reproach of Christ?

VII. This is a Spiritual Sight.

"By faith… he endured" (Heb_11:27). It needs faith to see the Invisible, whom having not seen ye love. Moses believed the promise of God at the bush, "I came down to deliver" (Exo_3:8), and "Certainly I will be with you" (Exo_3:12). The promise of God must be trusted if the soul is to see Him and endure and conquer. Is it not written, "Believe, and thou shalt see?"

Autor: James Smith