• “A VEIL LIES UPON THEIR
HEART…”
• That same veil remains upon the hearts of many today
• 2 Corinthians 3:12
• Therefore, since we have such hope, we use great boldness of speech--
13 unlike Moses, who put a veil over his face so that the children of Israel
could not look steadily at the end of what was passing away. 14 But their minds
were blinded. For until this day the same veil remains unlifted in the reading
of the Old Testament, because the veil is taken away in Christ. 15 But even
to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies on their heart. 16 Nevertheless
when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.
• Introduction
• The “veil” in the text was a prejudicial covering in the
hearts of the unbelieving Jews…
• The text refers to when Moses came down from Mt. Sinai with the tablets
of the Law (Ex.34:29ff) –
• - Moses’ Law was thought to be complete and perpetual by the unbelieving
Jews…
• 2 Corinthians 3:7-11
• But if the ministry of death, written and engraved on stones, was glorious,
so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the face of Moses
because of the glory of his countenance, which glory was passing away, 8 how
will the ministry of the Spirit not be more glorious? 9 For if the ministry
of condemnation had glory, the ministry of righteousness exceeds much more in
glory. 10 For even what was made glorious had no glory in this respect, because
of the glory that excels. 11 For if what is passing away was glorious, what
remains is much more glorious.
• The Law Was Their Veil
• The unbelieving Jews prejudice for Moses’ Law hardened into a
“righteous” bias that took control of the Law instead of following
it…
• Romans 10:1 … Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for
Israel is that they may be saved. 2 For I bear them witness that they have a
zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. 3 For they being ignorant of God's
righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted
to the righteousness of God.
• The Veil Would Be Replaced
• But Moses himself has spoken of a new law that would supersede his…
• Acts 3:20 … "and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached
to you before, 21 "whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration
of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since
the world began. 22 "For Moses truly said to the fathers, 'The LORD your
God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your brethren. Him you shall
hear in all things, whatever He says to you.
• The Veil Remains
• Mankind today also had the veil of the Jews when it comes to religion…
• Men have set their own religious standard(s) instead of God’s…
• - “saved by faith only”…
• James 2:24 … You see then that a man is justified by works, and
not by faith only.
• - Instrumental music, not acappella only…
• Ephesians 5:19 … speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and
spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord…
• The Veil Remains
• - “It doesn’t matter what you believe as long as you’re
sincere.”
• Acts 3:22b … “…Him you shall hear in all things, whatever
He says to you.”
• Matthew 28:18 …"All authority has been given to Me in heaven
and on earth. 19 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing
them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 "teaching
them to observe all things that I have commanded you…”
• There are even Christians who will try to supplant God’s law,
either morally or doctrinally…
• In our text the Jews “veil” hid that Jesus is the Christ…
• 2 Cor.3:14 … But their minds were blinded. For until this day
the same veil remains unlifted in the reading of the Old Testament, because
the veil is taken away in Christ.
• The Veil Remains
• It was impossible for unbelieving Jews to see that the law was going
to be changed and replaced…
• Colossians 2:14 … having wiped out the handwriting of requirements
that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the
way, having nailed it to the cross.
• With the completion of Jesus’ ministry, the Law’s purpose
was fulfilled…
• Romans 10:4 … For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness
to everyone who believes.
• The Veil Remains
• As a nation/race the Jews never could see that Jesus fulfilled the Messianic
prophecies…
• Romans 9:3 … For I could wish that I myself were accursed from
Christ for my brethren, my countrymen according to the flesh…
• John 5:39 … "You search the Scriptures, for in them you think
you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me.
• The Veil Remains
• Today men can have a like veil of rejection in their heart…
• PRIDE can keep one from acknowledging that Jesus is the Messiah, the
Son of God…
• - “He was just a good man.” – the modernist
• - “A prophet…only.” – Islam
• - “Did not even exist.” – the atheist
• - “It does not matter.” – everyone else
• Here Is Why The Veil Remains
• If any acknowledged His Divinity, they would be obligated to obey His
commands…
• 1 John 2:4 … He who says, "I know Him," and does not
keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoever
keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that
we are in Him. 6 He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just
as He walked.
• An Oddity:
• - Many do verbally acknowledge His Divinity, but do not follow His laws…
• - Such is in accordance with His words…
• Matthew 7:21 … "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,'
shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in
heaven. 22 "Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied
in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?'
23 "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me,
you who practice lawlessness!'
• HOW CAN THE VEIL BE REMOVED?
• The obvious question:
• 2 Cor.3:16 … ‘Nevertheless when one turns to the Lord, the
veil is taken away.’
• - So when each heart turns to God, the “veil” is removed…
• God has already told us how to remove the veil.
• The Lesson Taught
• The lesson taught by this passage:
• The obstacle lies in the heart of a man…
• It is not God’s fault that there is a veil…
• 2 Cor.4:3 … But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to
those who are perishing, 4 whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who
do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is
the image of God, should shine on them.
• The Lesson Taught
• Since the “veil” is not God’s fault, the heart of
man has to do the turning…
• God does not intervene to arbitrarily save whomever He desires…
• 2 Peter 3:9 … The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as
some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should
perish but that all should come to repentance.
• God wants everyone saved, but each person has to make that choice for
themself.
• Conclusion
• Mankind today, like the Jews of Paul’s day, have a “veil”
which prevents them from obeying all that Divine Will has commanded in the Gospel…
• Such a condition is reached by one constantly going against the will
of God…
• Hebrews 3:12 … Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an
evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; 13 but exhort one another
daily, while it is called "Today," lest any of you be hardened through
the deceitfulness of sin.
• Do you have a veil that needs removing?
By Carey Scott from an outline from Ron Lehde
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