2nd March 2025
Unveiled at last
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.
2 Corinthians 3:15-16 (NIV)
The other day I rashly decided to tackle a job I have been putting off for quite some time. This task has been added to my annual ‘To Do List’ for many years, and I was determined that this was the year it would be accomplished. I needed to tidy out the loft. I started off with good intentions but soon got waylaid by the memories. Instead of ruthlessly cleaning and throwing out stuff, I found myself sitting in the dust, holding objects, and remembering past events while reliving the highs and lows.
When I opened one particular box and lifted up the tissue paper, there lay my wedding veil, a little yellowed with age but still incredibly beautiful. I remembered clearly how I felt wearing it and thought back to that wonderful day. I wondered what to do with the veil now. I really didn’t need it anymore but felt I couldn’t throw it out.
Nowadays brides don’t always wear veils. Some choose to dress their hair with accessories instead. It made me wonder where the idea of wedding veils originated. A quick search reveals that early Jewish tradition has the bride wearing a veil after the groom had verified her identity, a tradition that stems from the story of Jacob, Rachel, and Leah in Genesis. The ancient Greeks and Romans also initiated the trend of bridal veils, which amongst other things, concealed the bride’s identity until the moment of marriage, and once lifted signified her transition into a new life with her husband.
In the Bible, veils have multiple meanings, including separation, covering, and submission. It is interesting to note that just after Christ’s death, the veil in the Temple, which separated the Holy of Holies, was torn from top to bottom, something no human hand could do. This symbolises that humans are no longer separated from God, because Jesus has taken away the veil (Matthew 27:51). We now, as the bride of Christ, have full access to God and we are transitioning into a new life of intimacy with our husband Jesus Christ. The veil that we had did not hide our identity from Christ, instead he was hidden from us. Our sins blinded our eyes to him, and we could not see him or know him through the veil. It was his loving action towards us, and his total self-emptying sacrifice that opened our eyes to him – ‘… whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.’ (2 Corinthians 3:16).
Once the veil is taken away the ‘Spirit of the Lord’ gives us freedom (v.17), so that we ‘… with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory…’ (v.18). By gazing at the nature of God with unveiled minds, we can understand how wonderful he is and, as our knowledge deepens, the Holy Spirit ‘transforms us into God’s image with ever-increasing glory.’ (v.18).
I think I may just keep my wedding veil. It means a lot to me but not just for sentimental reasons. When I look at it, it reminds me of what Christ has done. He has removed the veil in my mind, and I now have the chance to see my eternal bridegroom face to face and transition into my new life with him.
Prayer
Our loving Father, just as a bridegroom lifts the veil during a wedding ceremony, Jesus has lifted the veil of our minds to let us see him, and so we thank you. We ask for deeper knowledge and increasing intimacy in our relationship with him, as we are transformed by the Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ name, we pray, Amen.
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Study by: Jackie Mill About the author: |
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Local congregation:
Grace Communion International Central Glasgow
Garnethill Room
Conference Suite
St Andrews West
260 Bath Street
Glasgow
G2 4JP
Meeting time:
Sunday 11:15 am
Local congregational contact:
Peter Mill
Email: edinburgh@gracecom.church
Word of Life contact:
wordoflife@gracecom.church