THEOSISCyrill of Alexandria
Due to His goodness, He sent His Son from heaven to be our Savior and Redeemer, who took on human form. This is foretold in Holy Scripture, which describes Moses tending the flocks of Jethro, his father-in-law, the priest of Midian. One day, he led the sheep deep into the wilderness and arrived at Horeb, the mountain of God. There, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire from within a burning bush. Moses noticed that the bush was engulfed in flames, yet it was not consumed. Intrigued, he said, "I will go over and see this remarkable sight—why the bush is not burned." When the Lord saw him approaching, God called to him from the bush, saying, "Moses!
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Moses!" He replied, "Here I am!" God instructed him, "Do not come near; remove your sandals, for the place you are standing on is holy ground. I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob." In fear, Moses hid his face, afraid to look at God (Exodus 3:1-6).
God provided the law as a guide, as the prophet stated (for he appointed Moses as a “pestouncer,” Galatians 3:24), establishing a shadow to point to the ultimate truth that would be revealed in due time. The purpose of this pestoon was to unveil the mystery of Christ, clearly foreshadowed in the vision. The bush, resembling a thorny plant, was barren yet surrounded by a great flame. An angel appeared in the form of fire. Though the flame soared high, it did not harm the bush. This astounding occurrence defied all reason; the fire enveloped the thorns without destroying them, as if it disregarded its nature and gently embraced what it could consume. This vision left the divine Moses awestruck.
The significance of this vision lies in the analogy of divine nature likened to fire, symbolizing its omnipotence and ability to overcome all. In contrast, the vegetation of the earth, representing humanity, is likened to trees and grass. Thus, it is written: "Our God is a consuming fire" (Hebrews 12:29; cf. Deuteronomy 4:24) and "the days of man are like grass; as a flower of the field, so he flourishes" (Psalm 102:15). As fire is unbearable to thorns, so is divine essence to humanity. Yet in Christ, this divine nature is made bearable: "For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily," as the wise Paul attests (Colossians 2:9). He exists in unapproachable light (1 Timothy 6:16), residing in the temple of the Virgin, demonstrating humility by softening the invincible power of His nature to become accessible to us, just as fire is gentle to thorns. In revealing the flesh, which naturally is prone to decay and corruption, He transformed it, signifying it as the highest form of destruction; this is mirrored in the fire surrounding the bush, which did not consume it.
The Word that came from God made His own temple alive, rendering it incorruptible and victorious over death, being inherently Life (John 14:6). Can anyone doubt this? The fire spared the thorns, and the flame did not consume the feeble bush; this accessibility of Godhead to humanity encapsulated the mystery found in Christ. The Word of God chose to dwell among us, not bringing punishment or condemnation but shining upon us with a gentle and gracious light. Thus, it is written: "For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved" (John 3:17). Therefore, the bush remained unburned despite the flames enfolding it; punishment for our transgressions was not meted out, and instead Christ enlightens us through the Holy Spirit, residing within us, allowing us to call out, "Abba, Father" (Romans 8:15).
Awed by the vision, blessed Moses expressed his desire to understand this wondrous sight: "I will go and see why the bush does not burn" (Exodus 3:3). But he was quickly stopped by the blessed angel, acting on God's behalf: "Do not come near; remove your sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground" (Exodus 3:5). The wilderness, devoid of water and only yielding thorns, was made holy by the presence of the burning bush. Every place Christ inhabits is sacred. The wilderness stands as a symbol of the Gentile Church, resonating with the prophecy: "The wilderness and the wasteland shall be glad, and the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose" (Isaiah 35:1). God promises to transform the wilderness into a pool and the dry land into springs of water (Isaiah 41:18). The grace of the Savior has been lavishly given to those called from the Gentiles, like an overflowing river.
Indeed, divine David proclaims: "He turns rivers into a wilderness and water springs into dry ground, and a fruitful land into barrenness, for the wickedness of those who dwell in it" (Psalm 106:33-34). The bush remained untouched in the wilderness, and the land it graced was holy and consecrated to God. When Moses approached, he encountered a divine command to remove his sandals, symbolizing decay and mortality, since every shoe is a remnant of a dead animal, subject to decay. Thus, Christ is inaccessible to those bound by the law and childlike servitude. It is imperative to cleanse oneself of sin's pollution and uncleanness. However, it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins (Hebrews 10:4), as no one is justified by the law (Galatians 3:11). As sin persists, corruption has power, and death prevails over the defiled.
Thus, to comprehend the mystery of Christ, one must set aside the ministry of types and shadows, which neither corruption nor sin instigate. Then they will truly enter the holy land, that is, the Church. Jesus underscored that without renouncing the law’s ministry, one remains under corruption’s dominion, evidenced by His own words: "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you" (John 6:53). This sacrament is not for those under the law but for those who embrace faith, are justified in Christ, and receive a teaching superior to the law specifically in the gospel. Those still bound under corruption and the law have not yet shed the burden of the mother of death—sin—through faith and remain distant from Christ.
However, when they remove their sandals, symbolizing corruptibility which cannot justify, and receive the life-giving grace, they will draw near to Him who justifies the ungodly, namely, Christ. To Him, with God the Father and the Holy Spirit, be glory forever and ever. Amen.