But their minds were hardened; for until this very day at the reading of the old covenant the same veil remains unlifted, because it is removed in Christ. 15 But to this day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their heart; 16 but whenever a person turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.

 Veil is removed:

 

2 Corinthians 3:14-16

14 But their minds were hardened; for until this very day at the reading of the old covenant the same veil remains unlifted, because it is removed in Christ.

15 But to this day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their heart;

16 but whenever a person turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.

 

            Many people in the world today, and not just Jews, have a veil over their hearts when it comes to the Lord Jesus. Even though they may hear the Gospel proclaimed, it’s like it doesn’t register with them. Only when we come to Him will the veil be removed. Then we can see with the “eyes” of our heart. We can then understand the Scriptures and all that they tell us about Jesus. Don’t get upset with unbelievers when they are not able to understand. Remember that we too once could not understand the Good News that Jesus died for our sins.

 

If you could hear God speak, I believe this is what He would say:

            "You cannot know Me unless I want you to know Me. I decided long before the world was in existence that I wanted you to know Me. I revealed Myself to you so that you would come to Me and know Me. I am near you. I am within you and will reveal Myself unto you. You cannot know Me apart from My Spirit. He will guide you into all the truth. Before you came to know Me, you were blind to My existence. You could not know Me without My wanting you to know Me. Now you know that I exist and that My only desire is for you good.”

 

            34. When I came to Jesus, the veil over my heart and mind were removed. I can see clearly now and know beyond a shadow of a doubt who I am in Him.

My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; 28 and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. 29 “My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.

 Follow Him:

 

John 10:27-29

27 “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me;

28 and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand.

29 “My Father, who has given them to Me,  is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.

 

            We are His, and we’re supposed to know His voice when He calls. We can only do that as we practice listening to Him. We can’t hear Him if we don’t listen. When we hear His voice, then we can follow Him. He will lead us in the right direction. He also gives us eternal life … not just eternal in length, but also in quality. It starts right now in this life. In Greek the word translated never is actually two words that are a double negative. In English that means a positive. In Greek it is a very strong negative. We will never, no never perish. He holds us in his hand, and no one is capable of snatching us out of it. To try and snatch us out of Jesus’ hand is like trying to snatch us out of the Father’s hand, and no one is dumb enough to try that.

 

If you could hear God speak, I believe this is what He would say:

            "You are My sheep little children. There is no other shepherd who would lay down His life for you. You are Mine … My special lambs. You know who I am, and you that I am trustworthy. You know that you can follow Me without fear. No one can harm you while you are in My care. I will never let anyone harm you. You can trust Me to take care of you. So relax in My presence and allow Me to minister to you. That is what I do. I take care of you daily as you allow Me to. You cannot survive without Me, and you cannot fail with Me.”

 

            33. I will follow Him, for He is my Shepherd and I know His voice.

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

 One in Christ:  

 

Galatians 3:28

28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

 

            There is no group of people that is better than any other. We are all the same. Males and not better than females and vice versa. The Jews are not more highly favored than the Gentiles. We are one in Christ. We need each other to complete the body of Christ. As we move closer to Him, we come closer to each other. We are not many separate groups or individuals. We are one. If we don’t start acting that way on our own, He may turn up the heat so we have to trust each other.

 

If you could hear God speak, I believe this is what He would say:

            "There is no division in My Body. It is one whole. There is neither male, nor female; young or old; black or white; neither Jew nor Gentile. There is only one Body. You are part of My Body. You need the other parts; for without them you are incomplete. My plan is for all My Body to come into fellowship with one another. You cannot survive what is coming upon the world without each other. Trust in Me to lead all of you into the unity necessary for you to be one with each other.”

 

            32. I am one in Christ with all of my fellow brothers and sisters in the Lord.

Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.

 Our great High Priest:  

 

Hebrews 4:14

14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.

 

Hebrews 7:26

26 For it was fitting for us to have such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens;

 

            He is our great High Priest. High priests offered sacrifices for the people when they sinned. They lifted up the people to God for His blessings. They even sought His will at times for the kings. Jesus does this for us. He offered up Himself, once for all. He no longer needs to offer sacrifices for us. When He died on the cross, that was all that was needed. Daily He lifts us up to God for His blessings. He also seeks the Father’s will for our lives. And when we sin, He intercedes for us according to the will of God.

            Unlike the earthly high priests, He did not and does not need to offer up sacrifices for Himself. He never did anything that needed sacrificing for. He is a living example of what we can and should do through the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit.

 

If you could hear God speak, I believe this is what He would say:

            "I have passed this way before you. You do not have to go into unknown territory; for I will show you the way to the Father. I will show you the way into the Throne Room. I have gone this way before you that you might have free access to the Father. You may come into His presence without fear. You may come boldly before Him to make your requests known. Come unto Him and fear not for I will lead you into those paths of righteousness that will bring you unto the Father. He will be pleased at your presence. He desires to give you many things and to grant your every request. You must follow in the path that I took. It is not an easy path, but one that leads to glory.”

 

            31. Jesus is my great High Priest. He is my go between to the Father and presents my petitions to Him.