2 Corinthians 3:12 Since, then, we have such a hope, we act with great boldness, 13 not like Moses, who put a veil over his face to keep the people of Israel from gazing at the end of the glory that was being set aside. 14 But their minds were hardened. Indeed, to this very day, when they hear the reading of the old covenant, that same veil is still there, since only in Christ is it set aside. 15 Indeed, to this very day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their minds; 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.

This stuff about veils and glory can be confusing. Moses was the only person we know in scripture who spoke directly to God, as a “friend”. However, this left Moses with a face that shone brightly, reflecting God’s glory. It freaked people out, so Moses put a veil over his face so they could stand to be in his presence. We encounter this bright “glory of the Lord” several times in scripture. For instance angels often shine brightly when they appeared to people, as did Jesus when he was transfigured before his Peter, James, and John.

Paul then transitioned from discussing the literal veil of Moses to a metaphorical “veil” to describe the sin which impaired the peoples’ ability to follow the law. In Christ our sin is forgiven, the veil of sin is removed, and bondage to sin is replaced with “freedom” of the Spirit (v.17).

This is not to say that Christians no longer sin. We do. Yet when we are convicted of sin by the Spirit, we are able to confess our sin to the Lord and be set free. Again and again. The mercy and grace of Jesus Christ never runs out. Ever. Thank you Lord!