"For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour." (Psalm 8: 5)
We are all made a little lower than the angels.
Yet the word "angels" is actually "Elohim" or God.
We are made a little lower than God!
But more importantly, while Adam unmade this glory and brought all of mankind into death in trespasses, another Man, Jesus, gave up His glory to restore what Adam lost, and more.
Jesus was made lower to bring us higher, and in fact, to the highest height:
"5Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross." (Philippians 2: 5-8)
At the Cross, He became sin itself (2 Corinthians 5: 21) and our sin offering, that all our sins may be put away (Colossians 2: 13) and that we may receive His righteousness (1 Corinthians 1: 30).
Yet when Jesus came down, He also brought us up into Himself, too:
"But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:" (Ephesians 2: 4-6)
Jesus was made lower, that He could raise us higher, and not just above this world:
"These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." (John 16: 33)
and also
"Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world." (1 John 4: 4)
Yet we must never forget why we are more than conquerors (Romans 8: 37)
"Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world." (1 John 4: 17)
and
"For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith." (1 John 5: 4)
Rejoice in all that Jesus has done and is for you: for He made himself a little lower that you may be the highest in Himself forever!
Tuesday, August 5, 2014
The Spirit is in us Today
"For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit." (Romans 8: 5)
When I read passages like this, I used to think that living in the Spirit or minding things of the Spirit depended on something which I did.
I have learned that the Spirit of God lives in us, and previous verses in Romans affirm this revelation:
"5And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us." (Romans 5: 5)
The Holy Spirit is given to us, this wonderful Person who now lives in us and directs us.
"But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." (John 14: 26)
and then
"26But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: 27And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning." (John 15: 26-27)
Then Jesus said:
"Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. 8And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9Of sin, because they believe not on me; 10Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; 11Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged." (John 16: 8-11)
Peter preached about the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost:
"32This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. 33Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.." (Acts 2: 32-33)
The Holy Spirit grants Jesus to live in us, even as He sits on our behalf at the right hand of God the Father.
The Holy Spirit lives in you today, and thus you do not have to strive to mind the things of the Spirit.
When I read passages like this, I used to think that living in the Spirit or minding things of the Spirit depended on something which I did.
I have learned that the Spirit of God lives in us, and previous verses in Romans affirm this revelation:
"5And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us." (Romans 5: 5)
The Holy Spirit is given to us, this wonderful Person who now lives in us and directs us.
"But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." (John 14: 26)
and then
"26But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: 27And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning." (John 15: 26-27)
Then Jesus said:
"Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. 8And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9Of sin, because they believe not on me; 10Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; 11Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged." (John 16: 8-11)
Peter preached about the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost:
"32This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. 33Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.." (Acts 2: 32-33)
The Holy Spirit grants Jesus to live in us, even as He sits on our behalf at the right hand of God the Father.
The Holy Spirit lives in you today, and thus you do not have to strive to mind the things of the Spirit.
Monday, August 4, 2014
Jesus Has Fulfilled the Righteousness of the Law
"That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." (Romans 8: 4)
We do not get rid of the law arbitrarily in our lives just because.
That would violate God's righteousness.
"This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all." (1 John 1: 5)
For this reason, Jesus spoke to the Israelites of His day:
"Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill." (Matthew 5:17)
We can dispense with the law because Jesus Christ has fulfilled it, and fulfilled the payment for all our sin, i.e. breaking of the law.
"Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law." (1 John 3:4)
and then
"13And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; 14Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; 15And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it." (Colossians 2: 13-15)
"Blotting out" is better rendered "made inoperative" or "nullified" in that because Jesus fulfilled the law and paid for our sins on the Cross, the Devil has no more right to charge mankind with sin against God or anyone else.
John assures his readers:
"1My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: 2And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world." (1 John 2: 1-2)
Jesus is now and forever our propitiation, and our High Priest:
"5So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee. . .9And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; 10Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec." (Hebrews 5, 9-10)
What is Jesus our High Priest doing today at the right hand of God the Father?
"33Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. 34Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us." (Romans 8: 33-34)
Jesus has fulfilled the righteousness of the law for us, so that we no longer are under law but under HIs grace to live sober and godly in Him today (Titus 2: 11-14)
We do not get rid of the law arbitrarily in our lives just because.
That would violate God's righteousness.
"This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all." (1 John 1: 5)
For this reason, Jesus spoke to the Israelites of His day:
"Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill." (Matthew 5:17)
We can dispense with the law because Jesus Christ has fulfilled it, and fulfilled the payment for all our sin, i.e. breaking of the law.
"Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law." (1 John 3:4)
and then
"13And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; 14Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; 15And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it." (Colossians 2: 13-15)
"Blotting out" is better rendered "made inoperative" or "nullified" in that because Jesus fulfilled the law and paid for our sins on the Cross, the Devil has no more right to charge mankind with sin against God or anyone else.
John assures his readers:
"1My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: 2And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world." (1 John 2: 1-2)
Jesus is now and forever our propitiation, and our High Priest:
"5So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee. . .9And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; 10Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec." (Hebrews 5, 9-10)
What is Jesus our High Priest doing today at the right hand of God the Father?
"33Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. 34Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us." (Romans 8: 33-34)
Jesus has fulfilled the righteousness of the law for us, so that we no longer are under law but under HIs grace to live sober and godly in Him today (Titus 2: 11-14)
Sunday, August 3, 2014
Sin Condemned in the Flesh - Forever
"For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:" (Romans 8: 3)
Jesus never had sinful flesh. He was born innocent, uncorrupted with the stain of sin found in human blood.
Jesus died for our sins, which He absorbed in His body:
"Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed." (1 Peter 2: 24)
In His death, and thus our death, we find life:
"Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:" (Romans 6: 8)
and
"For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:" (2 Corinthians 5: 4)
and
"It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him:" (2 Timothy 2: 11)
We are dead to this world, and we are alive in Christ today:
Jesus never had sinful flesh. He was born innocent, uncorrupted with the stain of sin found in human blood.
Jesus died for our sins, which He absorbed in His body:
"Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed." (1 Peter 2: 24)
In His death, and thus our death, we find life:
"Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:" (Romans 6: 8)
and
"For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:" (2 Corinthians 5: 4)
and
"It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him:" (2 Timothy 2: 11)
Our sin in the flesh is still there:
"I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. 22For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: 23But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. 24O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? 25I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin." (Romans 7: 21-25)
Yet there is no condemnation for us, because we are dead to the law:
"4Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God." (Romans 7: 4)
and
"1If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory." (Colossians 3: 1-4)
Rest in Christ, and know that the sin in the flesh has been condemned forever.
Saturday, August 2, 2014
Grace: The Law of the Spirit of Life
"For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death." (Romans 8: 2)
Many Christians and religious leaders will get offended and upset if you minister to them that the Mosaic Law, the Ten Commandments and all, brings out sin and death in us.
The following Scriptures could not be more persuasive on this stern reality:
"Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin." (Romans 3: 20)
and then
"Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:" (Romans 5: 20)
Wow! The law caused sin to abound. God did not intend for the law to make us righteousness, but to show us that we need a Savior:
"Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified." (Galatians 2: 16)
and then
"Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers," (1 Timothy 1: 9)
This passage could not be clearer regarding the pain and suffering which the law brings:
"7But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away: 8How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious?" (2 Corinthians 3: 7-8)
The law was a ministration of condemnation and death. Ouch!
Now, many claim that if we do not have the law, then how do we live? By the law of the Spirit of Life, which God writes in our hearts and minds by His Spirit:
"10For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:
Many Christians and religious leaders will get offended and upset if you minister to them that the Mosaic Law, the Ten Commandments and all, brings out sin and death in us.
The following Scriptures could not be more persuasive on this stern reality:
"Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin." (Romans 3: 20)
and then
"Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:" (Romans 5: 20)
Wow! The law caused sin to abound. God did not intend for the law to make us righteousness, but to show us that we need a Savior:
"Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified." (Galatians 2: 16)
and then
"Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers," (1 Timothy 1: 9)
This passage could not be clearer regarding the pain and suffering which the law brings:
"7But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away: 8How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious?" (2 Corinthians 3: 7-8)
The law was a ministration of condemnation and death. Ouch!
Now, many claim that if we do not have the law, then how do we live? By the law of the Spirit of Life, which God writes in our hearts and minds by His Spirit:
"10For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:
"11And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.
"12For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more." (Hebrews 8: 10-12)
We are no longer under law, in our efforts, but under grace, through His Life:
"1What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?" (Romans 6: 1-2)
and then
"11For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 13Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works." (Titus 2: 11-14)
Let grace, the law of life and liberty thrive in you today!
Friday, August 1, 2014
No Condemnation in Christ
"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus," (Romans 8: 1, NIV)
There is no condemnation in Christ Jesus. None.
When He died on the Cross, He died for all our sins
"13And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; 14Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; 15And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it." (Colossians 2: 13)
To this day, He ministers on our behalf at the right hand of God the Father -- Our Father (John 20), and
He is justifying us to this day.
"Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. 34Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us." (Romans 8: 33-34)
In fact we have received His Spirit, which convicts us of our righteousness, and witnesses within us that the work is done.
"9Of sin, because they believe not on me; 10Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; 11Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged." (John 16: 8-11)
Jesus made it very clear that the Holy Spirit will convict "you" -- the disciples on this context -- which in turn includes us, who see God as Father rather than master:
"For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father." (Romans 8: 15)
There is no condemnation in Christ, so just as He did, so let us today:
"Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12: 2)
There is no condemnation in Christ Jesus. None.
When He died on the Cross, He died for all our sins
"13And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; 14Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; 15And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it." (Colossians 2: 13)
To this day, He ministers on our behalf at the right hand of God the Father -- Our Father (John 20), and
He is justifying us to this day.
"Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. 34Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us." (Romans 8: 33-34)
In fact we have received His Spirit, which convicts us of our righteousness, and witnesses within us that the work is done.
"9Of sin, because they believe not on me; 10Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; 11Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged." (John 16: 8-11)
Jesus made it very clear that the Holy Spirit will convict "you" -- the disciples on this context -- which in turn includes us, who see God as Father rather than master:
"For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father." (Romans 8: 15)
There is no condemnation in Christ, so just as He did, so let us today:
"Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12: 2)
Thursday, July 31, 2014
What Restrained Their Eyes? The Law
Cleopas and wife, on the road to Emmaus, both had their eyes restrained when Jesus came to them.
"But their eyes were holden that they should not know him." (Luke 24: 16)
The text clearly indicates that it was a passive restriction, not something that Jesus did, even as He was walking with them.
The Word of God does not support the notion that God hides Himself willingly.
Some would counter with this verse:
"He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them." (John 12: 40)
So what was holding them back from seeing Jesus? The Law in the hands of the enemy:
"In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them." (2 Corinthians 4: 4)
Paul wrote about this in the previous chapter:
"12Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech: 13And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished: 14But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ. 15But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart. 16Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away. 17Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 18But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord." (2 Corinthians 3: 12-18)
And why specifically were they blinded? Like the Pharisees, they were holding on to traditions:
"For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do." (Mark 7: 8)
Specifically, Cleopas explained:
"But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done." (Luke 24: 21)
Cleopas and wife had subscribed to the teaching that Jesus the Messiah would wreak a political victory, one that would redeem Israel politically. What they needed to learn, what Jesus would teach them (v. 25-27), is that the Messiah came to suffer for the sins of man and redeem them from death to life.
No longer to see Moses, but we need to see Christ in the Scriptures, who gives life and power and open eyes:
"But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ." (2 Corinthians 3: 14)
When we see Jesus in the Scriptures, then we see Him everywhere, giving us His righteousness and grace (Romans 5: 17) through His Holy Spirit (Romans 14: 17)
When Jesus broke the bread, their eyes were opened, because the breaking of bread speaks of healing and also the breaking of our Lord's Body for us, His redemption for us.
Then they saw who He was, and He then vanished before them, as Cleopas and wife were now walking by faith, no longer by sight (2 Corinthians 5: 7)
What restrained the eyes of Cleopas and wife was not Jesus, but their reading of the Old Testament without the Holy Spirit enlightening them to the truth, which makes us free (John 8: 31-32), which is Jesus Christ resurrected and in all glory ministering us His Holy Spirit. The redemption most important is for ourselves, that we no longer live dead in our trespasses.
When we are redeemed, receiving His Spirit, we prosper and are in health, as our soul now prospers in full awareness of the Truth.
The more that you see Jesus in your life, doing all things, you will no longer be restrained in your eyes, and you will be transformed from glory to glory by the Spirit of the Lord (2 Corinthians 3: 18)
"But their eyes were holden that they should not know him." (Luke 24: 16)
The text clearly indicates that it was a passive restriction, not something that Jesus did, even as He was walking with them.
The Word of God does not support the notion that God hides Himself willingly.
Some would counter with this verse:
"He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them." (John 12: 40)
So what was holding them back from seeing Jesus? The Law in the hands of the enemy:
"In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them." (2 Corinthians 4: 4)
Paul wrote about this in the previous chapter:
"12Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech: 13And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished: 14But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ. 15But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart. 16Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away. 17Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 18But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord." (2 Corinthians 3: 12-18)
And why specifically were they blinded? Like the Pharisees, they were holding on to traditions:
"For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do." (Mark 7: 8)
Specifically, Cleopas explained:
"But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done." (Luke 24: 21)
Cleopas and wife had subscribed to the teaching that Jesus the Messiah would wreak a political victory, one that would redeem Israel politically. What they needed to learn, what Jesus would teach them (v. 25-27), is that the Messiah came to suffer for the sins of man and redeem them from death to life.
No longer to see Moses, but we need to see Christ in the Scriptures, who gives life and power and open eyes:
"But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ." (2 Corinthians 3: 14)
When we see Jesus in the Scriptures, then we see Him everywhere, giving us His righteousness and grace (Romans 5: 17) through His Holy Spirit (Romans 14: 17)
When Jesus broke the bread, their eyes were opened, because the breaking of bread speaks of healing and also the breaking of our Lord's Body for us, His redemption for us.
Then they saw who He was, and He then vanished before them, as Cleopas and wife were now walking by faith, no longer by sight (2 Corinthians 5: 7)
What restrained the eyes of Cleopas and wife was not Jesus, but their reading of the Old Testament without the Holy Spirit enlightening them to the truth, which makes us free (John 8: 31-32), which is Jesus Christ resurrected and in all glory ministering us His Holy Spirit. The redemption most important is for ourselves, that we no longer live dead in our trespasses.
When we are redeemed, receiving His Spirit, we prosper and are in health, as our soul now prospers in full awareness of the Truth.
The more that you see Jesus in your life, doing all things, you will no longer be restrained in your eyes, and you will be transformed from glory to glory by the Spirit of the Lord (2 Corinthians 3: 18)
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