April 5

Today's Reading: 2 Corinthians 3:1-18

Here Paul refers back to the giving of the law, and in particular to how Moses had to put a veil over his face after meeting with God on the mountain. Paul calls the law the "ministry of death and condemnation" because the law had no power to provide salvation to man, who is incapable of keeping it fully. When Jesus came and died on the cross and rose from the dead, He provided a way that the veil that covered our hearts could be removed so that we could approach God personally.

Those who are relying on the law and their own good works to approach God still have veiled hearts. Even though we claim to approach God on the basis of our faith in Jesus, it is easy to slip back into thinking that we have something to offer to God that can earn favor with Him. As we approach Resurrection Sunday, take some time to thank God for providing the way of life through Jesus and the Holy Spirit.