A juxtaposition is a literary device used to create deliberate differences for the reader to compare and contrast. As one reads 2 Corinthians 3 take a closer look for how Paul intentionally sets ideas and people side by side to enhance his message. Here are a number of ideas to get you started.

Veiled Unveiled

OT NT

Old Covenant New Covenant

Old Promise New Promise

Moses Jesus

External Mediator Internal Mediator

Curtain Curtain torn

Glory Greater Glory

Temporary Permanent

Heart of Stone Heart of Flesh

Separation Unity

Captivity Freedom

The Law Fulfillment

Flesh Spirit

Stillness Movement

We are creatures of comfort. As we saw in Numbers, many of the Israelites wanted to “go back to Egypt,” rather than move into the Promised Land. Paul is speaking to a people who are struggling with the “new things” that have now sprung forth in Jesus as Isaiah had prophesied in 42:9. A vocal minority did not want to accept Paul or his message of the transforming, Spirit-filled gospel. They wanted to return to the Law, the familiar, the stagnant. Paul is encouraging God’s people to receive with joy, an unveiled face. Transparency, relationship, transformation, peace, truth, and love all are available as the Lord’s redemptive story continues to march onward. Would God’s people live in the past, under the tutor, under the Law, under the veil? Or would God’s people personally welcome the truth, walk in it, and reap the fruits of the Spirit with faces brilliantly shining God’s light into the darkness? What will you and I choose today?

2 Corinthians 3:16-18

16 But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. 17 Now the Lord[ is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

[ WHAT ] is this passage saying and what is a key truth or thought that we learn?

+ In verse 1, what is the action of the passage?

+ What happens when this action is accomplished?

+ In verse 2, how are two distinct persons in the Trinity addressed?

+ What happens as the Spirit of the Lord is present?

+ How does the Spirit come to God’s people? John 14:17-19/Acts 10:44 and 11:15

+ Who are “we all” in verse 18? How do the words “unveiled face” give us a clue who “we all” are from verse 16?

+ What can “we all” behold with an unveiled face? Verse 18

+ How will/does/has an encounter with the Living God - face to face - change/changed you or I?

+ As “we all” behold this, what action is happening?

+ What are we being transformed into?

+ What does the tense of the words “are being transformed” infer?

+ What degree of transformation have you experienced in your life?

+ Is there someone close to you, you can ask if you are unsure?

+ What/Who is the power behind the action? What can we expect from this promised Power?

[ HOW ] is the Lord calling me to action/obedience?

+ Is there a sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?

+ What “Egypt” am I returning to today? How can I take every thought captive and choose to believe that transformation, though scary, is God’s plan for me?

+ What actions can I take to include more truth (Bible intake) in my daily rhythm to allow God’s Spirit to move?

+ Who can I ask to hold me accountable to gospel transformation in my life?

+ What Scriptures might I memorize and have at the ready to remember when transformation is difficult?

[ WHO ] am I walking with and praying for to discover Jesus?

+ What is my next step?

+ Who can I/we be transparent with?

+ Who needs to see an unveiled face, shining Jesus into the world?+How do I/we create margin to invest in relationship rather than activity?