Glorious Road Signs

But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. 2 Corinthians 3:18

From Glory to Glory

Have you ever been driving along a stretch of highway, mile after mile wondering if you are even on the right road? It can be distressing. In the distance you see a sign. As you near it your heart rate quickens, ”What will it reveal?” At last you discover that you are on the proper road and, joy of joys, you’re heading in the right direction. At that particular moment, is not the seeing of that sign a splendid thing?

The true glory though lies ahead, doesn’t it? Whether it is Disney World or grandma’s house, the real glory is in the destination. We might recall the beauty of the road sign, and how it directed us, but alas its glory fades as we scoot by. Ever grateful we drive on to our ultimate glory.

Paul reminds us that Christians are traversing from one glory to another, the latter being exceedingly better than the first. He goes on to tell us what these glories are: the Law and Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 3:7-9 make it clearer.

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, how will the ministry of the Spirit not be more glorious? For if the ministry of condemnation had glory, the ministry of righteousness exceeds much more in glory.

Ministry of Death

The ministry of death (and the ministry of condemnation) are one and the same; they are references to the ‘Law’, while Jesus is the ministry of righteousness. While the ‘Law’ was glorious, the glory of Christ exceeds it. The only reason the ‘Law’ had any glory at all is so we sinners would stand up and take notice; its sole purpose being to identify us (as sinners) and then to operate as a road sign directing us to Jesus Christ—the ultimate glory.

We are grateful for the Law and we recognize its glory and purpose, but to stop at the Law so that we might bask in its fading glory would be as silly as stopping at a road sign and basking in its diminishing glow. Let us move on from glory to glory.

For if what is passing away was glorious, what remains is much more glorious.
2 Corinthians 3:11

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