Daily Devotion for Lent 2021 - Day 30

Scripture Reading: 2 Corinthians 3

As we read Paul today, it is important that we understand that he was having an intra-faith argument rather than one faith critiquing another (as it is often seen today).  Christianity was still viewed as a Jewish sect within Paul's day and it was definitely from a minority position as Paul wrote it.

Today, with Christianity being the majority and with the kind of persecution we have seen against the Jewish people (such as the Holocaust), it is highly important that we see Paul's words within the context of which they were written.

If we said today that Judaism kills while Christianity gives life (verse 6), it would likely be lifted up as hate language.  However, Paul never saw this as anything but a Jew who has a new revelation of the Messiah informing other Jews by utilizing the same faith.  There was always a Jewish understanding of being a light to the nations and Paul sees himself within this tradition.

As he speaks of the veil of Moses, he is talking of where Moses speaks directly with God and it causes his face to shine.  Exodus 34:35 states, "the Israelites would see the face of Moses, that the skin of his face was shining; and Moses would put the veil on his face again."

Karl Barth said to "Take your Bible and take
your newspaper, and read both.
But interpret newspapers from your Bible."

Paul uses this story to say that when we are in Christ, the veil is removed or the glory of God is revealed.  It is one way of saying that as Christians, it is important for us to look through the lens of Jesus Christ.  The old question, "What would Jesus do?" should actually be key for us as we consider our interpretation of any Biblical texts as well as our responses in life.

This question actually relates to my opening response to Paul.  As we have become the clear majority and hold power over minority religions, I believe that Jesus would have us tread with caution as he calls us to love our neighbors.  The parable of the Good Samaritan reminds us that it is not always the supposed religious superior that follows through with action regarding the will of God.

So as we move through Lent, where do you perceive that you have power over another?  How do you use the lens of Christ to shine a light upon this relationship?

Prayer for the day:

Mysterious God, I find that you draw me into deeper relationship with you constantly.  A lot of the time, I believe that I'm trying to draw closer to you with the prayers I pray or the scripture I read.  Help me to understand the difference and to see that my actions are a response to the grace I receive.  May this spill over into my relationships with others.  In Jesus' name.  Amen.

Photo by Ken Walton via Flickr.com.  Used under the Creative Commons license.

All scripture quoted is from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.