2 Cor 3:12-18 Having therefore such hope, we use much boldness: 13 and not according as Moses put a veil on his own face, so that the children of Israel should not fix their eyes on the end of that annulled. 14 But their thoughts have been darkened, for unto this day the same veil remains in reading the old covenant, unremoved, which in Christ is annulled. 15 But unto this day, when Moses is read, the veil lies upon their heart. 16 But when it shall turn to [the] Lord, the veil is taken away.) 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, but where the Spirit of [the] Lord [is, there is] liberty. 18 But we all, looking on the glory of the Lord, with unveiled face, are transformed according to the same image from glory to glory, even as by [the] Lord [the] Spirit. TLB
There is a message for us from the Holy Spirit in Moses’ veil. It represents sin and a barrier between God and man (death), while Jesus represents sacrifice and an open door to God (life). Moses only gave us a partial and temporary view of God (the glory faded), but through the Holy Spirit we see God in His fullness (Jesus).
Without Jesus the Jews can read the Law all day long and never understand its full meaning. But when the nation believes in Him the veil will be lifted and they will read the Law and the Prophets and see Jesus as their Messiah. It’s the same for unbelievers today when they try and read the Bible; it makes no sense to them. There is a veil over their eyes because their spirit is dead to God. But when they, by faith, decide to follow Jesus, the veil is lifted by the presence of the Holy Spirit. They have made the step from the natural to the spiritual, from the old to the new, and from darkness to light. No longer is there a veil over the Word of God because Jesus has given them the Holy Spirit to reveal it.
But that is just the beginning. Our challenge is to be the vessels the Holy Spirit has chosen to help them move from old to the new, from the natural to the spiritual, from walking in ignorance to walking in the truth … to make disciples.
But, just like Moses, if we (and they) don’t stay in His presence the Glory will fade. That is why the scripture tells us to be filled with the Spirit. The Greek translates it as “be being filled;” active in nature. If we are living the life Jesus intended and are sharing Him with others and making disciples, we “leak” the Spirit all day long and need a refill.
That is why Paul challenged us to “be conformed into the image of Jesus.” It is the presence of the Holy Spirit working in our life that keeps the veil off our “face” and reveals the glory of God to those around us … one day at a time.