Seeing people wear masks at the store, gas station, or on the news is a new experience. In a responsible effort to slow or stop the spread of illness, face coverings are now recommended by our government and have been adopted by many.
While the masks are intended for good, they also cause our glasses to fog, quickly become uncomfortable, and partially disguise our identity. We all look forward to the day when we can leave our mask at home.
In Exodus 34, we read of Moses ascending Mt. Sinai and standing in the presence of God. When he came down from that holy mountain, Aaron and the others were afraid to come near him or even to look at him, and because Moses’ face “shone,” he wore a veil in the presence of Israel (Exodus 34:30-35). In the New Testament, we learn that Moses wore the veil to conceal “the glory of his face, fading as it was” (2 Corinthians 3:7). While in God’s presence, Moses was overwhelmed with His glory, but as he stood with Israel, God’s glory faded.
In the present age, the glory no longer fades, and the veil has been removed. We experience God’s glory in a way that Israel could not. When one obeys the gospel, “the veil is taken away” and “the glory of Christ, who is the image of God” is seen (2 Corinthians 3:16; 4:4). What a blessing it is to be a Christian and to be able to, by God’s design, see the glory of Christ and to leave the veil at home.
Matt Langfield