Last

Date: 6/18/23

Sermon Title: Last

Context: Numbers 27:12-20

(Numbers 27:12) Then the LORD said to Moses, "Go up to this mountain of Abarim, and see the land which I have given to the sons of Israel.

(Numbers 27:13) "When you have seen it, you too will be gathered to your people, as Aaron your brother was;

(Numbers 27:14) for in the wilderness of Zin, during the strife of the congregation, you rebelled against My command to treat Me as holy before their eyes at the water." (These are the waters of Meribah of Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin.)

(Numbers 27:15) Then Moses spoke to the LORD, saying,    

(Numbers 27:16) "May the LORD, the God of the spirits of all flesh, appoint a man over the congregation,

(Numbers 27:17) who will go out and come in before them, and who will lead them out and bring them in, so that the congregation of the LORD will not be like sheep which have no shepherd."

(Numbers 27:18) So the LORD said to Moses, "Take Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay your hand on him;

(Numbers 27:19) and have him stand before Eleazar the priest and before all the congregation, and commission him in their sight.

(Numbers 27:20) "You shall put some of your authority on him, in order that all the congregation of the sons of Israel may obey him.

Preaching Note  

1. The Prayer of Moses

God shows Canaan which is the promised land to Moses. While showing this land, God says to Moses. “You cannot enter the land of Canaan because you have obeyed my commands in the wilderness (v.14).” For over 40 years, Moses led the Israelites according to God's command. However, the result was disastrous, and God did not allow Moses to enter the land of Canaan. At the last moment of despair, what did Moses say?

Moses answered God. “God, even if I die in Canaan, please appoint a leader who can lead the next generation (v.16).” “Even if the current generation of Israelites, including myself, face death in the wilderness, please raise leaders who will lead the new generation so that they will not get lost and wander (v.17).” Even at the moment of a miserable end, Moses looked beyond the last moment to a new beginning. He prayed and asked God for the next generation for a new start and for a leader who will lead them.

Hearing Moses' prayer, God speaks. "Go and get Joshua son of Nun (v.18)." "You make him the next leader and give him the authority of the leader so everyone can follow his words (v.19-20)." As a result, after the death of Moses, Joshua led the next generation and led them into Canaan, which was God’s promised land for the Israelites. Moses' prayer, looking at a new beginning at the last moment, eventually led them to the land of Canaan.

2. The Prayer of Jesus

In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus wept and prayed. “Father, people are coming to kill me. I loved them with your love. But people, who I love, are coming to capture, and torture me. My heart is breaking now. If you are possible, please take this cup from me.” Jesus suffered the end of being killed at the hands of those he loved. However, in the end, Jesus says, "Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done."

Jesus is arrested, tortured, and crucified on the hill of Golgotha. Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, "ELI, ELI, LAMA SABACHTHANI?" that is, "MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME?" At the last moment of crying, Jesus realizes the Father's will. He then dies with the words "It is finished". At the last moment, Jesus realized the resurrection. And Christianity began through the resurrection, and many people hear the Gospel, which He delivered. As a result, Jesus was resurrected after the death, which is the moment of last.

3. Thankyou

Today is the last which I am delivering a message to you all. As a pastor, I believe in the new beginning which God plans for you. During this time, I thank God for inspiring me to have spiritual fellowship with you. And thank you to all of you who made an effort to hear the word of God through my voice, which is lacking. I believe that this final moment will be a new beginning in which you can be more precious as children of God. Thank you, and goodbye.