Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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 Glorification of Messiah through Death 

Exodus 34:29-35 

What can you and I learn from the Biblical text in Exodus chapter 34, verses 29 to 35?

It includes the narration of Moses’ coming down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of God’s covenant law. It mentions that Moses’ conversation with the Lord revealed a facial radiance that his brother, Aaron, and the other Israelites observed and feared; nevertheless, Moses called them near him, spoke to them, gave them the Lord’s commandments, and wore a veil on his face to diminish the brightness; and that Moses removed the veil when he entered the Lord’s presence. 
A reading of the third chapter of Apostle Paul’s 2nd Epistle to the Corinthians, draws a comparison between this Old Testament passage and the New Testament where Paul infers the duty of those that minister Christ - the Gospel. He makes an apology for seeming to commend himself and ascribes all praise to the Glory of God for writing His new law, not with ink, but through Christ’s Spirit that dwells in all our hearts. Paul contrasts the Old Testament as a “ministration of death” (2 Cor 3:7), whereas the Gospel as a “ministration of life and righteousness.” Philippians 2 provides additional insights for “Light Bearers.” We know that even Jesus Christ, who was God on earth in appearance as a man, humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death on the cross (v.8). 
While Moses had the privilege to converse directly with God, all have the privilege of receiving guidance from the Spirit of Christ that is in them and fills them with transforming light and liberty. 2 Corinthians 3:17-18 records, “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.
As noted in Mathew 5:16, our encounters with God should also in the same way, allow our light to shine before others, that others may see our good deeds and glorify our Father in heaven. Wearing a veil to hide our pride and superiority when sharing our personal experiences with God is essential to keep us modest and humble. However, as pointed out in 2 Corinthians 3:16, we must remember that in the presence of the Lord we have no choice but to stand unveiled

Prayer

 Dear God, enable me to converse with you without masks that cover my failings and flaws. Help me reveal your glory with an attitude of self-surrender, self-diminishment, and even death. Empower me to follow Your written laws. Ingrain in me the living and transforming laws of selfless love and sacrifice revealed through Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. Empower my heart and life to reflect Your unconditional love to everyone and everything in the world.

Thought for the Day
What can I do to glorify God and share Christ’s love?

Dr. Mathew T. Thomas, MTC of Greater Washington.

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