This passage reaches all the way back to the previous chapter
to find its context. Paul has been comparing the previous covenant to that
of Christ. He has used various contrasting images: fading glory vs. ever-increasing
glory, for example. He has also talked about the veil Moses wore after he
had been with the Lord. Paul essentially says that veil is keeping many from
seeing Christ for who He really is. This is symbolism of a typological nature.
An event of the Hebrew Bible is being used as an early symbol of how things
are now.
Apparently, Paul is answering the question, “Is the gospel
too hidden for people to understand?” It is possible this question points
to the early Gnostic tendencies of some believers. Some said the gospel was
only for a select few who proved their worthiness and discovered secret wisdom
from Jesus. But Paul shoots down this argument in our passage by pointing
to the work of the enemy. Only those who are being destroyed by their own
choices are blind to the truth. People who have given their lives over to
the things of this world come under the spell of the god of this age. It’s
not about us but about the wonderful glory and light of Jesus being revealed.
Those who can’t see it have either come under evil influence or rejected
the truth. In the face of Christ we can see God’s glory if we are willing.
Even more important for Paul, believers have been given an amazing privilege:
seeing Christ in His glory.
Oh yeah, so what? Sometimes we may picture our congregation
saying that to our sermons. (Sometimes we may hear it!) This text may not
automatically stir up a fire in our congregation. With Lectionary preaching,
it’s good to remember again that we are called to preach the gospel,
not individual passages. We are not always handed a textual gem. Thankfully,
with Lectionary preaching, our text is seldom alone in left field. The Gospel
of Mark and Transfiguration Sunday come to our rescue. Paul is pointing to
the same issue as Mark 9:2-9: Jesus being revealed to His followers. For just
a moment, God pulled back the veil, allowing Peter, James, John, and, through
them, us, to see His glory! Combined with the gospel text, we have a more
concrete picture, although still a rather abstract concept. Paul’s own
bio can help us as well. He was indeed blinded by the light of Jesus on his
way to imprison some followers. Paul is the classic “hard case.”
If the light of Jesus penetrated his darkness, it can reach anyone. Although
these were private experiences, they became symbols of how everyone can come
to know God. They were not secret. They are revealed and help light the way
for anyone to know. But what about our loved ones or our harshest critics
who say they can’t believe? Paul says if they’ve heard the gospel
and still reject it, they are perishing. Paul says the enemy is blinding them,
but that’s not the end of the story. The gospel tells us that God so
loved the world that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting
life.
(For the full manuscript of this sermon
go to www.preachersmagazine.org and click on “Sermons”)
What this text may lack in absolute, freestanding clarity, it
makes up for in homiletical flexibility! If you are an expository preacher,
unwrap these theological gifts to your heart’s content! Unfold this
imagery so even long-time believers can see the glory of Christ once again.
If you are a topical preacher, build on all Paul says about the new covenant,
and take us on a brief survey of other passages that help clarify these metaphors.
For those absolutely committed to inductive/narrative preaching, the mysteries
of faith and disbelief provide a bind to build on.
Supplements will be needed, but the Lectionary has enough to get you all the way to the full gospel. Fred Craddock might start with the image of a fading photograph, like the fading faith of a person who has gone way too long without a fresh experience from God. The sermon, like the passage, could lead us back to a fresh vision of the Risen Jesus! God can in fact “digitally restore” our faded faith through the power of the Holy Spirit! Or maybe you begin in Lowry mode with a hard-edged nonbeliever who isn’t the slightest bit interested. As you follow his or her journey you could educate your congregation on how the unconvinced process life and decisions. You could create compassion in their hearts. If pre-Christian hearers are present, your reverent exegesis of their world-view might bring them to a moment of revelation. With this kind of sermon, leave lots of room for the Holy Spirit to lead. Give time for reflection before asking the unconvinced to make this big of a choice. Remember, the average person may have to hear the gospel seven times or more before they are truly ready to receive it! But God is faithful! May Epiphany’s crowning moment leave a mark on eternity!
