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24 June 2008
Word on the Web
2 Corinthians 3:7-11
The law that brought death was written in words on stone. It came with God's glory, which made Moses' face so bright that the Israelites could not continue to look at it. But that glory later disappeared. So surely the new way that brings the Spirit has even more glory. If the law that judged people guilty of sin had glory, surely the new way that makes people right with God has much greater glory. That old law had glory, but it really loses its glory when it is compared to the much greater glory of this new way. If that law which disappeared came with glory, then this new way which continues forever has much greater glory.
The glory that "made Moses' face so bright that the Israelites could not look at it" faded; the old covenant was only temporary and inadequate. However the "much greater glory" reflected in the faces of those who have received the Holy Spirit "continues forever"; the new covenant through Jesus is effective and permanent.
In the Old Testament we read that a person could not look directly at God and live. Moses had to hide in a cave and only look at God's back (Exodus 33:21-23). Elijah "pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave" so he could not see God's face (1Kings 19:13). The priest in the temple of Jerusalem could only enter the 'Holy of Holies' once a year after much ritual cleansing and sacrifice. Did you know that the priest went in with a rope tied round his ankle so he could be pulled out, in case he died in God's presence?
How extraordinary then are the teachings of Jesus in the New Testament, that we should address God as "Abba", or daddy, like he did? (Matthew 6:9). When Jesus died on the cross, the temple curtain was ripped in two exposing the 'Holy of Holies' to show that anyone could, and can, enter into God's presence. What a difference Jesus makes to people's relationship with God!
Lord Jesus Christ, thank you that we can hide in you so that God looks at us and does not see our sinfulness. Thank you for your new way that makes us right with God; through you we can come into God's presence and address him as Father. Thank you.
Written by Kate Hatton
Word on the Web
2 Corinthians 3:7-11
The law that brought death was written in words on stone. It came with God's glory, which made Moses' face so bright that the Israelites could not continue to look at it. But that glory later disappeared. So surely the new way that brings the Spirit has even more glory. If the law that judged people guilty of sin had glory, surely the new way that makes people right with God has much greater glory. That old law had glory, but it really loses its glory when it is compared to the much greater glory of this new way. If that law which disappeared came with glory, then this new way which continues forever has much greater glory.
The glory that "made Moses' face so bright that the Israelites could not look at it" faded; the old covenant was only temporary and inadequate. However the "much greater glory" reflected in the faces of those who have received the Holy Spirit "continues forever"; the new covenant through Jesus is effective and permanent.
In the Old Testament we read that a person could not look directly at God and live. Moses had to hide in a cave and only look at God's back (Exodus 33:21-23). Elijah "pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave" so he could not see God's face (1Kings 19:13). The priest in the temple of Jerusalem could only enter the 'Holy of Holies' once a year after much ritual cleansing and sacrifice. Did you know that the priest went in with a rope tied round his ankle so he could be pulled out, in case he died in God's presence?
How extraordinary then are the teachings of Jesus in the New Testament, that we should address God as "Abba", or daddy, like he did? (Matthew 6:9). When Jesus died on the cross, the temple curtain was ripped in two exposing the 'Holy of Holies' to show that anyone could, and can, enter into God's presence. What a difference Jesus makes to people's relationship with God!
Lord Jesus Christ, thank you that we can hide in you so that God looks at us and does not see our sinfulness. Thank you for your new way that makes us right with God; through you we can come into God's presence and address him as Father. Thank you.
Written by Kate Hatton
