This is an important season in the life of the church as we make our way to Holy Week. Lent is a journey toward death. When Satan tempted Jesus in the wilderness, he was trying to sidetrack him from death. But in being faithful to God, Jesus was moving toward death. We take up our crosses as well.

Death is not something to be avoided at all costs, but because we are resurrection people, we are promised a new life- a new heaven and new earth with no more brokenness and death. As believers, we need not fear death. Our future is sure.

On the cusp of Holy Week, we’re going to reflect on a death in the life of Moses. Last week, we looked at Moses’ discouragement and today we come to the end of his story in Deuteronomy 34:1-8.

As Moses comes to the end of his life- God takes him up on Mount Nebo and shows him the Promised Land. He dies at the age of 120 and God mysteriously buries him. There are some things that Moses does before he dies:

• Moses was prepared. He blessed the future leaders and put everything in order.
• Moses told the truth to the people. He told them about the trials and temptations that they would encounter. He even gave them a song to help them remember and implored them to choose life.
• Moses blesses the tribes. Like Moses, we can make sure that we bless our families, friends, our children.

Moses doesn’t die alone and Moses doesn’t die in fear. We don’t have to be afraid either as we have the resurrection promise of new life.

What matters at the end - for Moses and for us - is that before our time comes, we need to make sure we have presented ourselves before God to follow Jesus as Lord, so that the Lord knows us. That’s the most essential part of being prepared for what’s next.