Or it was not consumed.  Ex. 3:2.

The burning bush is a picture of our Lord Jesus.  The bush didn´t have to be kindled like we do.  We may be “burned up” and may feel empty, powerless, “undone” (Isa. 6:5), but the warmth of Jesus never fails.

Moses “turned aside to look”, and so should we, turning away from ourselves and be looking unto the Lord now despised by the world.  It´s  a matter of just looking in His direction (without “seeing”) and be kindled anew.

The Emmaus disciples said, “Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us by the way while He opened to us the scriptures?”  Indeed, to have our hearts burn afresh “within us” the source must be from the outside, from the enthroned Lord now talking to us from His word.

In some unhealthy circles the boring refrain is “Get baptized with fire and speak in tongues”. An “experience”, mind you, apart from the saving experience in Christ.  That leads to mere confusion.  We should bluntly reject that idea, but instead turn to Him who is there “with us by the way”.  For “fire” we need, but there´s just one place to be set on fire, and that is in Christ, remembering that His word is as good as His person.

This is what makes our “gathering unto His name” so precious and exciting.  I´m awed again and again when that happens.  And old man gave me a ring next morning and said, “I´m moved to tears…” not because of any “big shot” in our fellowship, but because of the Lord´s greatness who was there according to Matth. 18:20.

For the “bush”, despite its lack of “form and comeliness” (Isa. 53:2), is burning and will never be consumed, nay it will catch on us too as we look unto Him and hold forth the preaching of foolishness.

Jan. 26, 2015 – jn