2/26/2006 The Transfiguration of Our Lord

"Being Transformed"

2 Corinthians 3:12 – 4:2

I N I

There is a pattern in today’s epistle reading that reminds me of those electrical gadgets – you know the ones they advertise as: "Clap on X X; Clap off X X." In 2^nd Corinthians Paul uses a pattern that includes: "Veil on; Veil off."

Here in v.13 Paul speaks of having a hope. That refers back to previous verses where he speaks of "the glory of the ministry that brings righteousness." The hope he is talking about is the message of salvation that comes through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In those previous verses, Paul was comparing the ministry of condemnation to the ministry of righteousness. The ministry of condemnation, God’s judgment that was revealed in the Commandments given through Moses, that ministry – that message was glorious because it was God’s Holy Word. But the ministry of righteousness, God’s love and forgiveness and salvation revealed in the Good News of Jesus Christ, that ministry – that message was even more glorious. It, too, is God’s Holy Word, but it is even more glorious because it is the only thing that can overcome the message of condemnation.

Veil on – veil off! Well, it really begins in the opposite order. Veil off! Paul reminds us of what happened when Moses came down the mountain and spoke God’s Commandments to the people. Moses face was shining – reflecting the glory of God’s Holiness. The people were afraid of this radiance. Rightly so, because it was a sign of the glory of God’s judgment – His condemnation of sin. So Moses would cover his face with a veil until he entered God’s presence and then spoke God’s Word to the people again. Veil off – to speak God’s Word. Veil on – to cover the glory of Judgment – the glory that made them afraid.

Veil on – Moses put on the veil, not just to give the people temporary comfort. Moses put on the veil as a symbol that condemnation – God’s judgment against sin – was not the last word. Moses put on the veil as a reminder of God’s Covenant with Israel, a Covenant that reached back more than 400 years – back to Abraham. God’s covenant promise was that they would be His people, and He would be their God, and through them He would bring a blessing to the whole world – a Savior.

Veil off – as Moses spoke the Commandments, the shining glory of God’s holiness and judgment. Veil on – as a reminder that the word of judgment was not the last word.

But many of the Israelites missed the point. Already in Moses’ day, and continuing down to Paul’s day (and even today) many of the Hebrews only focused on the words of command – not on the words of promise, focused on the condemnation – not on the covenant, focused on their own works – not on God’s work.

Paul speaks of those Israelites. Veil on! Even though they read the Old Covenant (specifically that means all 5 books of Moses – from Genesis to Deuteronomy – which includes, by the way, God’s promises to Abraham and his descendants), they don’t recognize the promise – only the condemnation. Veil on – on their hearts. Our translation says "their minds were made dull." Another translation: "their consideration were made like stone" - in other words, their thinking was petrified, unwilling and then unable to think beyond the Commandments and what they should do, unable to see their greater need for God’s promises. Veil on!

Paul says there is only one way for the veil to come off such hearts. Veil off – only in Christ. Veil off – only when they turn to the Lord. Veil off – only when the Holy Spirit works freedom through God’s almighty Word. Veil off – only when one trusts God’s covenant promise – of a coming Savior. Veil off – only when one trusts that Savior instead of trusting in self to keep the Commandments. Veil off - only when one views the greater glory of the cross and the empty tomb. Veil off – only when one believes in Christ for forgiveness and new life.

The same Holy Spirit that worked this unveiling miracle in the hearts of Israelites (and a few Gentiles) of Moses day, the same Holy Spirit worked this unveiling miracle in the hearts of Israelites (and more Gentiles) of Paul’s day, the same Holy Spirit works this unveiling miracle for us.

Jesus words remind us: "The Father and I are one." Here Paul says: "The Lord (which refers to Jesus) is the Spirit." These are teachings that reveal to us the mystery of the Holy Trinity – Father, Son, and Spirit – one in essence, three in person – Unity in Trinity and Trinity in Unity, as we say in the Athanasian Creed. "Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom!" That is the Holy Spirit working to unveil our hearts.

We need His working in us, because we all start this life – veil on! Veil on – our sin. Veil on – self-centeredness. Veil on – fearful of God’s condemnation. Or veil on – unconcerned with God’s judgment because we think we are ok on our own.

The Holy Spirit works through the power of the Word of God to remove our veil. Veil off – we become reflectors of Jesus’ glory. Veil off – not a physical light from our faces, but radiating the mercy we have received from God. Veil off – reflecting Christ’s likeness. Veil off – eagerly forgiving. Veil off – humbly serving. Veil off – plainly speaking God’s Word of Truth.

The ministry of condemnation has glory – it is God’s Law that drives us to see our need for a Savior, our need for Christ. But the ministry of righteousness has greater glory – it is the Gospel that IS Christ. It radiates from us so that others may see His love, His mercy, His forgiveness, His life everlasting – all for them, too.

I’d like to read a portion from Dr. Lenski’s commentary. On the face of Moses the glory of the judgment of God was reflected; on our face the Lord’s gospel glory is to be reflected.

Already this is much, namely becoming a mirror which reflects the brilliant sunrays of Christ’s glory of grace and salvation. But in all of us who have turned to the Lord there is vastly more. A mirror only reflects, Moses’ face only reflected. His face, like the mirror, remained only what it was. Christ’s glory of grace enters into us, transforms, matamorphoses us ‘into the same image from glory to glory’." {p948-9} What Dr. Lenski means here is that Christ’s glory doesn’t just reflect from us – it changes us.

Once upon a time we were - Veil on! But now we are Veil Off! We are being transformed by the Holy Spirit through God’s Holy Word of Grace and Promise – the Gospel. We are being transformed into Christ’s image. We are being transformed with ever increasing glory (the Lord’s glory, not our own). We are being transformed, until the day when Christ comes in His full glory. Then our transformation will be complete. Veil off – for eternity. Amen.