In order to live, Moses' mother had to die to her desire to nurture, teach and raise her son. Putting him in a basket she placed him near the river, knowing that Pharaoh's daughter often bathed there. What an awful choice Moses' mother had. Knowing she could not hide him forever, but not wanting him to die or be killed, she trusted that someone would find and help him.
When Pharaoh's daughter discovered the boy, she knew it was a Hebrew, and when one of her servants suggested finding a Hebrew woman to nurse the boy, Pharaoh's daughter agreed immediately. That Moses' mother was chosen to nurse her own son must have given her immense pleasure, but must also have been bitter sweet. Knowing she would not be with her son throughout his life was a terrible burden, but one she readily bore so that he might live.
Baptism is all about being plunged into the waters of life in order to die to self and live for others. Moses' mother was willing to do this for her son and challenges all who read her story to ask themselves how deep their own faith is. Would any of us be willing to sacrifice everything so that another might live?
God is. God's love is so full, so complete, so lacking in self absorption that God is willing to send his son as savior of us all, even to death for our sake, so that we can live with God forever. This promise, this commitment is beyond our ability to imagine. Simply thinking about it is thrilling.
Today, die to some simple pleasure for the sake of another.
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