Whose face, whose glory?
Opening Prayer
Lord, I long to see Your glory and to reflect the reality of who You are to the world.
Read 2 Corinthians 4:1-6
[1] Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. [2] Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. [3] And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. [4] The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. [5] For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. [6] For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ. Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
What blinds the minds of unbelievers?Paul starts by returning to a theme we recently encountered: others might employ dubious techniques, but Paul is determined to be transparent and to exercise his ministry with absolute integrity (2). His message has one focus: Jesus Christ–the glorious one who “wears God’s face,” the one who alone reveals God perfectly–he is Lord. Paul will only serve like he did. From now on if you want to see God, to know him and to comprehend his nature (his glory) you do so in the face of Jesus Christ. This is the face of Jesus of Nazareth, bearing the marks of his suffering, with bloodied lip, thorn-punctured brow and bruised cheek. Here is where we meet God in all his glory: in a man hung on a Roman cross while the world went dark, the knowledge of which sheds the light of God’s glory thrilling through our hearts. The more we live our lives “facing Christ,” the greater will be the brilliance of the knowledge of him in us.
Apply
Take some moments to learn verses 5 and 6 by heart. Meditate on them throughout today.
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