2 Corinthians 3:10-11 For what was glorious has no glory now in comparison with the surpassing glory. 11And if what was transitory came with glory, how much greater is the glory of that which lasts!
The old covenant and the law that governed it had a powerful purpose in the history of the people of Israel. That purpose continued until Christ came, and then the purpose was renewed. The law was glorious, as Psalms 119 declares. It declared God’s will for how the people should live. But it was never mean to bring salvation. Salvation came only through God’s gracious forgiveness. The first covenant pointed the way and prepared for the new covenant. The first covenant was glorious because it allowed the people to experience God’s holy presence through the tabernacle and the ark of the covenant. This experience of glory was only indirect and mediated through the priesthood and sacrificial system. The new covenant is even more glorious because it provides direct access to God through the indwelling Holy Spirit. We have become the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 3:16). We can now come into the direct presence of God because God has first come into our presence through Christ.
The first covenant was temporary and served the purpose of bringing people to Christ (Galatians 3:19a). Positively, it revealed God’s gracious will for holy living. Negatively, it pointed out the problem of sin and the need for forgiveness. Both of these are found in Christ who brings forgiveness and makes us holy. The old covenant was temporary because the glory it brought was temporary for Moses and mediated through the high priest and the priesthood to the people. The ceremonies of sacrifices had to be repeated on a regular basis.
The new covenant fulfills the longing expressed through the old covenant. The deep inner longing of the human existence is to experience God’s glory. Moses expressed this longing when he asked to see God’s glory in Exodus 33:18. To experience God’s glory is to experience God’s very presence and person. For those who believe in Christ, this glory is eternal because it is the essence of eternal life. We begin to experience this glory in part in this life. It increases as we grow in more faith and reliance in Christ.
For older posts, click here.