Now if the ministry that brought death, which was engraved in letters on stone, came with glory, so that the Israelites could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of its glory, transitory though it was, will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious? If the ministry that brought condemnation was glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry that brings righteousness! For what was glorious has no glory now in comparison with the surpassing glory. And if what was transitory came with glory, how much greater is the glory of that which lasts! Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold. We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to prevent the Israelites from seeing the end of what was passing away. But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away. Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. 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.
—2 Corinthians 3:7-18

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Keep Looking and Keep Becoming
By Jennifer Kane

It isn’t that you are what you eat,
but rather, you are what you behold.

Beholding is not a glance, a fleeting gaze,
but a focus so steady it shapes the soul.

We become what we set our eyes upon,
what we let sink into the marrow of our being.

So let me keep looking—
not at the shifting sands of the world,
not at its hollow promises, its fading glories,
but at Jesus, the radiance of the Father,
the mirror in which I see who I am meant to be.

In beholding Him, I am changed—
not conformed to the world’s contorted image,
where souls twist and crumble like dry leaves,
but transformed, renewed, made whole,
reflecting His glory from one degree to another.

Let my vision be clear, my heart undivided.
Let me fix my eyes on the only One
who turns dust into living flame,
who takes the marred and makes it new.

For I am not meant to decay,
but to shine with the light of His presence—
ever looking, ever becoming.

~~~~~

Scriptures: 2 Corinthians 3:7-18, James 1:22-25

The way we see Jesus shapes our lives. In the old covenant, God’s glory was veiled, distant, and fading. But in Christ, the veil is removed, and we are invited to behold His glory fully. Beholding Jesus is not a passive act—it is a transformative gaze. When we fix our eyes on Him, we are changed, from glory to glory, into His likeness.

Paul contrasts the old and new covenants, showing that while the law had a glory, it was a ministry of condemnation that ultimately led to death. It revealed sin but could not bring righteousness. The new covenant, however, is far more glorious because it brings the Spirit, life, and righteousness.

Just as the glory of Moses’ face faded, the old covenant was temporary. But the glory of Christ remains forever. The surpassing glory of the new covenant is not based on human effort but on the work of the Spirit in our lives.

Are you living under the weight of trying to measure up, or are you walking in the freedom of the Spirit’s work in you?

Moses wore a veil so the Israelites wouldn’t see the fading glory on his face. Paul tells us that even today, many hearts remain veiled when they try to approach God through the law. Only in Christ is the veil removed.

When we turn to Jesus, He removes the veil, allowing us to see God’s glory clearly. This is the difference between religion and relationship. Religion places barriers between us and God, while Jesus invites us into intimacy with Him.

Is there anything veiling your heart from seeing Jesus clearly—pride, legalism, doubt, or sin? Turn to Him and let Him remove the veil.

Paul gives us a powerful truth: where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And as we behold Jesus, we are transformed into His image, step by step, from glory to glory.

This transformation is not about striving but about looking—fixing our eyes on Jesus and allowing His Spirit to do the work in us. James 1:22-25 echoes this by comparing the Word of God to a mirror. A forgetful hearer sees the truth but walks away unchanged, while a doer of the Word remains in it and is blessed.

Reflection: How often do you behold Jesus in His Word, in prayer, and in worship? Are you allowing His image to shape you, or are you walking away unchanged?

Spend intentional time in God’s Word, not just reading but beholding Jesus in it. Approach Scripture like a mirror—let it reveal areas where you need transformation. Pray for the Holy Spirit to continue His work in you, changing you into Christ’s likeness. Worship with an unveiled heart, fixing your gaze on His glory.

As you behold Jesus daily, expect transformation. His glory will shine in you, and His image will be reflected through you. Keep looking, and keep becoming.

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My Lord Jesus, You are the radiance of the Father’s glory, the image in which I am being made new. Thank You for removing the veil that once kept me from seeing You clearly. Open my eyes to behold You more fully, to fix my heart and mind upon Your truth, and to be transformed by Your Spirit.

Let me not be distracted by the fading glories of this world, but instead, may I gaze upon You with an undivided heart. Shape me, renew me, and make me a reflection of Your light. Lead me in the freedom of Your Spirit, that I may walk boldly in the righteousness You have given me. Keep my eyes on You, Jesus, so that in looking, I may become more like You. Amen.

February 4 2025