DAILY READING
REFLECTION
Glory upon Glory
by Pr. Dave Mann
Consider yourself as one of the Israelite community. Imagine witnessing the plagues cast upon Egyptians – the Nile turned to blood, the gnats, the grasshoppers, the hail, the death of the firstborn, etc. (Exodus 8-10). Remember the parting of the waters of the Red Sea to let the Israelites pass through, then coming back together with force to drown the Egyptian soldiers (Exodus 14)? Formidable! And then remember God’s provision of water, manna, and quail in the wilderness (Exodus 16 & 17)? Truly inspiring!
But even more wonderful than all those experiences was when Moses, our leader, spoke face to face with the Lord God himself because he brought to us the Covenant of the Law on stone tablets. That experience caused Moses’ face to shine with such glory that he had to wear a veil over his face to shield us from the glory of God. (See Exodus 34:29-35.) That was a stunning awe-inspiring experience. However, as glorious as was that experience, there was a distinct weightiness that came with the law. None of us can keep the law perfectly. The law is heavy and impossible to obey with all our heart, soul, and strength, such as we are obligated to do (Deuteronomy 6:4-5). And all who do not keep this glorious law are destined to die! Lord, have mercy!
Nevertheless, we as believers in Jesus have received something even more glorious. We are recipients of the New Covenant in which we are forgiven and adopted as children of God. We live under the ministry of the Spirit, not the Law. The Israelites were bound under the Law. We are set free in the Spirit. Under the Law, we were unable to keep the conditions of the Old Covenant. In the Spirit, we are beneficiaries of the blessings of the New Covenant, because Jesus, our Redeemer, has kept the law. This is a much more glorious and awe-inspiring gift than the Israelite experienced. The Apostle Paul wrote: If the ministry that brought condemnation was glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry that brings righteousness!”
In the Old Covenant, the glory of God was shared with only Moses; the others were shielded from it. However, in the New Covenant, the glory of God is shared with all believers. Paul wrote to the Philippians (3:21): “[Jesus] by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.” Such a wondrous promise!
PRAYER
Lord, your works are glorious, and You are glorious. Thank you for allowing me to benefit from your most glorious work in Jesus Christ – his birth, life on earth, death, and resurrection. You have given us such a privilege to be part of this history in which we know of your most glorious work of all-–the eternal redemption of all who would believe, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
