Twin City church of Christ Blog
“June 4, 2024 - Exceedingly Glorious”
Categories: 2024 Reading DevotionalsExceedingly Glorious
Reading: 2 Corinthians 3:7-11
From the perspective of an insider to both covenants, Paul contrasts the Mosaic system and the Christian system. While he is hard on the Law of Moses—he calls it “the ministry of death”(v. 7) and the “ministry of condemnation”(v. 9)—he also acknowledges that it was wonderfully glorious. “Now if the ministry of death, carved in letters on stone, came with such glory that the Israelites could not gaze at Moses’ face because of its glory, which was brought to an end, will not the ministry of the Spirit have even more glory?”(2 Cor 3:7-8). Paul takes us to Mt Sinai, where Moses descended from the mountain with a glowing face after receiving the law. He has been in the presence of God himself. The glory of the Lawgiver shines even on its human mediator.
Yet if Moses’ Law held glory even though it led to death, “will not the ministry of the Spirit have even more glory?”. Not only does Jesus’ law come through the Spirit, but it also results in “righteousness” instead of “condemnation”(v. 9). Paul is using shorthand for the argument he develops at greater length in Romans: Moses’ Law identifies sin but does not deliver us from sin’s power. What we find in the Law is merely a deeper awareness of our sinfulness. Yet Jesus saves us from sin and breaks our slavery to it, resulting in righteousness rather than condemnation. More, Jesus’ work is with us forever: “For if what was being brought to an end came with glory, much more will what is permanent have glory”(2 Cor 3:11). Moses’ ministry was glorious; Jesus’ ministry is exceedingly glorious because it is “permanent”.
Glory speaks to the majesty and divine perfection of God’s work. God was at work to teach, guide, and sanctify Israel through Moses, so there was glory. But God is at work in far greater ways in Jesus—bringing true transformation, renewing our minds, and delivering us from death. We may not see it yet, but the traces of God’s handiwork in Jesus are exceedingly glorious.
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One Thing to Think About: Why do we struggle with taking blessings (such as the new covenant) for granted?
One Thing to Pray For: Gratitude for the “ministry of righteousness” that has blessed my life
