2 Corinthians 3:16-18 But whenever anyone 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 freedom. And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. 

The ultimate goal of following Jesus is to become like him which means we will have to undergo transformation. This transformation also comes from the Lord who is the Spirit because we cannot do it on our own. Christ became human so that we could be reconciled with God and this love compels us to live for him as a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:14-19). And as we live by contemplating him, we get transformed into the image of Christ. The Message version says “Nothing between us and God, our faces shining with the brightness of his face. And so we are transfigured much like the Messiah, our lives gradually becoming brighter and more beautiful as God enters our lives and we become like him”. 

In the Old Testament the Israelites had to look at the veiled face of Moses but in the New covenant, when we look to our Lord Jesus, the veil is taken away so that we can see the clearly. So, if I want to see clearly, I only have to turn to the Lord and behold him.

There are times when I struggle to see clearly and this happens when instead of looking to Christ I am looking elsewhere for validation or affirmation or security or for strength.  But I only have to look to Jesus and see the boundless love he has for me and his amazing grace that continues to strengthen me.

As I keep contemplating Christ, the Holy Spirit who is our helper will work in our lives to conform us into the image of Christ. Anyone who constantly looks to Christ is bound to change. No one who keeps beholding Christ will ever stay the same.

So today…as you silently sit and behold Christ, praise him for the freedom we have to gaze at him and for the help his Spirit provides so that you can be changed into his glorious image that is bound to bring amazing joy and peace.