Verse: 2 Corinthians 3:12-18
Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold. 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.
Devotion
A while ago these t-shirts came out that said “Jesus is my homeboy” on them. Predictably a lot of people got mad and thought it was sacrilegious and disrespectful, and maybe they were. I think they’re kinda true though. In this passage, Paul is contrasting old ways and new ways of connecting with God. The old ways were difficult because God was so glorious that people literally couldn’t look at him without dying. Imagine trying to hang out with somebody who could kill you just because you took a peek at them. It’s hard enough to have meaningful personal connections, you don’t need the extra hurdle of worrying about imminent death.
That’s where Jesus comes in. The new way of interacting with God is via Jesus and the Spirit, rather than through rituals performed by other people indirectly. What does that relationship look like though? Well, Jesus is pretty clear just through his actions that he wants deep relationships where we bring everything to him. Bible stories talk of how he personally walks around so he can be with people to teach, comfort, and share life with them. He’s there for us no matter what and wants us to bring everything to him. What’s a homeboy if not your closest friend? Someone who knows everything about you, has your back all the time, and shares everything with you. That’s the level of relationship Jesus wants, to the point that he literally died and resurrected to break down the barriers between humans and God.
The passage ends like this: “And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory.” We’re here to bring God glory, and we do that by being transformed. Jesus died so he could be our closest friend and transform us into our best, to bring God that glory.
Author: Jordan Ambra
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