Hoekstra's Day by Day by Grace (May 11th)

More on Bondage versus Liberty

But their minds were hardened. For until this day the same veil remains unlifted in the reading of the Old Testament, because the veil is taken away in Christ. But even to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies on their heart. Nevertheless when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. (2 Corinthians 3:14-17)

The new covenant of grace, which depends upon the Spirit of the Lord working in lives, produces liberty: "where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty." The old covenant produces bondage in those who attempt to live under it, because it provides no resource for meeting its demands. In our last meditation, we looked at the bondage of secrecy that results from living by man's sufficiency. Spiritual blindness is another bondage that comes from living under the law.

The Israelites were blinded by a veil that resulted from hardness of heart. "But their minds were hardened. For until this day the same veil remains unlifted in the reading of the Old Testament [that is, the old covenant]." This hardness was related to self-sufficiency. John, the Baptist, held forth the righteous standards of God and called the people to repentance for their sins. "And he went into all the region around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins" (Luke 3:3). John was aware that many held a self-sufficient reliance in their ancestry (their blood-line link with Abraham). "Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father'" (Luke 3:8). Jesus also encountered this same hardness of heart as He preached. "We are Abraham's descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can you say, 'You will be made free'?" (John 8:33). Like the self-righteous Pharisee, these people thought they were better than others and had no need for repentance. "He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous…the Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank You that I am not like other men'" (Luke 18:9, 11).

Many people today rely upon their religious heritage to give them an acceptable standing with the Lord. Such hardness of heart leaves them blind. They cannot see as God sees. God tells them of their need, but they will not reach out to Him for help. How tragic this is, because He alone is able to remove their blindness. "When one turns to the Lord,the veil is taken away in Christ."