2 Corinthians 3:7-18 (NIV 2011)
7 Now if the ministry that brought death, which was engraved in letters on stone, came with glory, so that the Israelites could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of its glory, transitory though it was, 8 will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious? 9 If the ministry that brought condemnation was glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry that brings righteousness! 10 For what was glorious has no glory now in comparison with the surpassing glory. 11 And if what was transitory came with glory, how much greater is the glory of that which lasts!
12 Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold. 13 We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to prevent the Israelites from seeing the end of what was passing away. 14 But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away. 15 Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. 16 But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplatethe Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
Reflection:
What Peter, James, and John experience in the Transfiguration is greater than what Moses experiences here. What we experience is also greater than what Moses experiences. This revelation of who Jesus is – having the veil removed to see – is what each and every believer is to have, more and more.
So we can leave behind the old ways – thinking we can add something or trying to live this life based upon the old stuff – and enter in to this life of seeing Him, listening to Him, and following Him.
Response:
Let’s turn to the Lord again and declare that the veil is taken away. Let’s proclaim again that we are being transformed into God’s image with ever-increasing glory. May we not be held back by doubts or feelings of inadequacy or failure but trust in the power of the Lord to do this transforming work in us.
