Twin City church of Christ Blog
“Oct 15, 2024 - The Mystery”
Categories: 2024 Reading DevotionalsThe Mystery
Reading: Ephesians 3:1-6
To Paul’s great surprise, God has given him a special mission to the Gentiles. “assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for you, how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly”(Eph 3:2-3). God has revealed his “mystery” to Paul. The mystery is not something difficult to understand, but something which was unknown to man. God’s will “was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit”(Eph 3:5). As faithful as the prophets of old were, as devout as the great heroes of faith were, they did not know what we now know. To them it was a mystery.
Yet this mystery has now been revealed. “When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ”(Eph 3:4). Because Paul has received revelation from God, he sees things that others simply could not. This makes his writings invaluable. So what is the specific content of the mystery he keeps referring to? “This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel”(Eph 3:6). God’s previously veiled plan to bring Jews and Gentiles together in one body in the Messiah has now been revealed. God has always hoped to unite all people in one, abolishing the differences of nation, class, and gender. God has always wanted to open the kingdom to all. Yet what was once shrouded in mystery is now plainly seen.
Part of God’s genius is that his thoughts are unknowable (and unguessable!) until he reveals them. Yet when revealed, they are consistently beautiful and wonderful, full of goodwill and unexpected blessing. Believers now can rejoice in the parts of God’s plan that he has shown us through men like Paul. We can also anticipate with fervent hope the revelations of the final stages of God’s work which are still yet to come.
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One Thing to Think About: What wonderful things does God still have planned for his people?
One Thing to Pray For: Gratitude for God’s acceptance of all people who believe in his Son
