Weather Report From Heaven: Sunny and bright, with an abundance of light and lots of singing and rejoicing.
Scripture: “If the ministry that brought condemnation was glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry that brings righteousness! For what was glorious has no glory now in comparison with the surpassing glory. And if what was transitory came with glory, how much greater is the glory of that which lasts!” 2 Corinthians 3:9-11
“But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” 2 Corinthians 3:16-18
Insight: Do you know that Christ’s work on the cross eliminated the need for veils? We now individually have direct access to God through Christ! In the Old Testament the veil symbolized the chasm that existed between a Holy God and sinful humanity. But when Jesus died a sacrificial and atoning death on the Cross, ( Romans 3:25 ) our faith became personal and there was no longer any need for a veil. Jesus had taken the penalty for our sins from us, and placed it upon himself. He broke all of the barriers that had stood between man and God, and He invited each and everyone of us into a personal relationship with Him. Through this relationship, we gained direct access, through the Holy Spirit, to the throne room of God. What freedom and power exists in that thought. 2 Corinthians 3:13-18 sums this up perfectly when it says: “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. 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. Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”
There is no need for us to ever again approach God in a veil, literally or figuratively. His glory is no longer transitory, it is permanent in Christ. We don’t need to hide anymore. The veil has been torn in two. How do we know? The Bible tells us! When Christ was crucified, Mathew 27:51-52 tells us “At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life.” What does this mean for us in a practical way? It means we have freedom! It means we can stand before Him in our sin and be partners with him in his glory, because Christ has washed us clean! In fact, 2 Corinthians 3:18 says above “And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”
That is amazing. That is liberating. That is awe- producing stuff when we contemplate it. Expand your vision of what this means through prayer and meditation. Give Him thanks and praise because our shame is covered by His blood, so there is no need to ever cover ourselves again, or hide from Him, for He has set us free indeed. Now, we get to share in his “ever-increasing glory” until it permeates our whole being with His light shining forth from us to a darkened world that desperately needs to see this hope and glory radiating out from us.
Prayer: Father God, you are so amazing in your love for us. Because of your love for us, illustrated to us by the life, death, resurrection and ascension of your Son, Christ Jesus, we are able to stand just as we are in your presence, in spite of our sinful selves, and be free of worry or distractions. No need to run, no need to hide. You know us and you accept us and you wash us clean in the blood of Christ. There are no words to describe that freedom. We simply and humbly say thank You for giving us hope and new life. Amen!
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