2 Corinthians 3:16-18 (ESV)
But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

To understand the point Paul is making in this chapter to the Christians in Corinth, we need more than these three verses. But in each of these verses, we find a keyword that is needed to unlock the mystery of the message. Each word has to be taken in the context of its use to rightly understand its meaning. The three key words are veil, freedom and glory.

In this chapter, Paul is going back to the account given in Exodus chapter 34. God met with Moses the second time at the top of Mt. Sinai to give him the law carved in stone tablets. When Moses returned to the people of Israel, his face shone brightly reflecting the glory of God. After speaking to the people, Moses wore a veil to hide the fact that the brightness was only temporary and diminished. Whenever Moses met with God in the Tent of Meeting, he removed the veil, only to place back over his face after meeting with the people.

Paul uses the word glory to draw a contrast between the temporary glory of the law and the eternal glory of the Spirit of God. The word veil is used to demonstrate what was once used to hide a temporary glory is removed to reveal an everlasting glory made possible through Jesus. The word freedom is used to reveal the access that we can have to go directly to God. Through Jesus, we are transformed into an eternal glory.

This week, take some time to reflect on the powerful message revealed in God’s Word that we can meet with God anytime with boldness. We can experience His glory because Jesus has removed the veil. All those who receive Jesus by faith have this unlimited, intimate access to God.