December 13

“Moses alone shall come near unto the Lord. The others must not come near. And the people may not come up with him.” — Exod 24:2

There are always some who are admitted to closer intimacy with Christ than others. In his first disciple family, John came nearest. The way is open, however, for all to come as near as they will. Yet it is not height on earth’s hills, that takes us closest to him. Those are greatest in the kingdom of heaven–so the Master said—who are most like children; also those who serve the most sweetly and unselfishly. In the Psalm, too, when the question is asked, “Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord?” the answer is, “He who has clean hands and a pure heart.”

Getting up in the world–may not be getting up toward God; yet we may rise toward God, and that surely is infinitely the worthiest aspiration of an immortal soul. Moses was called up near to God that he might get blessings to carry down to the people. Those who get closer to God than others–are always privileged to become blessings to the world. God fills their hands with gifts that they are to distribute, and reveals to them precious things that they are to communicate to others.