A Mystery Solved
Ephesians 3:2-12
Wednesday— January 4th
Who is your favorite detective of all time? The Hardy Boys or Nancy Drew? Possibly Sherlock Holmes, who solves mysteries by logical reasoning? He believes in science of deduction: the principle that any problem can be solved if the necessary information is given. Mysteries can by fun and entertaining, except when it comes to things in the Bible. I don’ t want a mystery there. You don’ t either, do you? Here is a mystery … In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’ s holy apostles and prophets.” Don’ t these words sound seem hard to understand? The“ mystery of Christ” hasn’ t been made know to men in other generations?
What is this mystery of Christ which Paul knows and the Ephesians don’ t know?“ This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body and sharers together in the promise of Christ Jesus.” The mystery is solved! The gospel is for all people! This wise men story probably doesn’ t surprise you with its mystery any more since you know it so well. But, it was a mystery of the Old Testament how Gentiles fit into God’ s plan, even though little clues were left along the way. Think of the story of Ruth. Ruth wasn’ t a Jew; she was a Gentile. And yet that little book of the Bible reveals part of the mystery because Ruth becomes a part of the line of the Savior. It’ s a story of God’ s grace to all … that also Ruth’ s Gentile flesh and blood is a part of God’ s plan. Jesus did not just come in Jewish flesh and blood, but human flesh and blood to save all of us from sin.
It’ s all a gift of God’ s grace alone, isn’ t it? It’ s grace alone that has nothing to do with race or nationality, gender or age, status or rank. All have sinned; and this Savior is for all sinners. What he did in his perfect life he did for all who are imperfect. What he did in his death he did for all who were guilty of sin. What he did when he rose he did for all who were under death’ s curse. In Jesus, Paul says we all have rights and privileges before God as his sons:“ In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.” You don’ t need to earn some special right to stand before him. That’ s as true for the poor Jewish shepherds who knelt before Jesus our Lord as it was true for the rich Gentile Magi who later came to worship him. For each of you, it’ s the mystery you treasure so much: the mystery of God’ s grace!
PRAYER:
Gracious Lord, thank you for making us and all believers members together of one body and sharers together in the promise of Christ Jesus. In this the Promise’ s name we pray. Amen.
ACTIVITY:
What are some other“ mysteries” that Jesus has helped you understand? Think of some things the Bible teaches you that you couldn’ t learn anywhere else.
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