Ephesians 6:19
“and pray in my behalf, that speech may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel”.
This verse was addressed the last time we were in Ephesians. I love the phrase, “the mystery of the gospel”. It’s not a mystery in terms of “who done it”, but something that was done in a way that wasn’t understood prior.
What was known? 1. The world was lost in sin, 2. God would send a messiah, 3. Blood and the loss of life would be part of the sacrifice, 4. the gentiles would be reached, 5. the messengers were curious (prophets and angels). 6. God values the humble and helpless. 7. God’s involvement would be great.
Some of these are common knowledge, others not so much. Point two was about the messiah. There are verses about a conquering messiah and others about a humble suffering one in the Old Testament. These are so different that many thought there were two different ones. Today we know that the suffering, humble one was Jesus at His first coming and the conquering mighty one will be Jesus at His second coming.
Jesus’ first coming hit several points. Point three was about the cleansing of sin involving blood and the loss of life. No one expected that the messiah would shed his blood and die as that sacrifice.
No one knew that God would be that messiah. No one understood that God would come down as a baby. Further, it wasn’t known that he would be born to poor, insignificant parents. He was raised the same way. His growing years were in an area of bad repute.
The religious leaders of Jesus’ day were the powerful and wealthy of the culture. They had little respect of those that were “lesser than”. That’s how they saw Jesus. He wasn’t an educated man, so they thought they could humiliate him in front of the people with their questions. Many times it says that they caused the crowds to marvel at His answers. The pharisees also marveled, but not in a way that moved them. They sent soldiers to arrest Him. When they returned empty handed they asked why. John 7:46 says, ‘The officers answered, “Never has a man spoken like this, as this man speaks.”‘ I love this. It’s hard to imagine cops not arresting someone because of their speech.
I Peter 1:11,12 speaks about how the prophets and angels were very curious about how and when these things would come about. “Seeking to know what person or time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating as He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow. It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you, in these things which now have been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things into which angels long to look.”
God loves mysteries. He works in us the same way. Peter reveals the mystery of how God works through trials in his first epistle, “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial that has come upon you, as though something strange were happening to you.” The grind of life should be elevated to God working His wonders in us. Like an irritant in an oyster becoming a pearl. Knowing this helps. Instead of thinking, “Why me?” We have the hope that He is with us and that He will work it out for the good.
That’s another mystery. He is able to work all things in our lives for good (Romans 8:28). It doesn’t mean that all those things are good, but He can turn our errors into positives. If we are in the middle of it, this doesn’t seem right, but looking back we get a better perspective. We might become more compassionate or gain an audience with those that are fellow sufferers.
Paul refers to the mysteries of all the amazing things God wants to do in and through us in I Corinthians 2:9, ‘Rather, as it is written: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no heart has imagined, what God has prepared for those who love Him.”‘ Each of us can think of some amazing things for ourselves. However, God will is far superior. We will experience that if we let Him have His way.
When we see our walk with Christ in terms of mystery, we become more hopeful and thankful. God, You have given us the greatest gift at Christmas. Revelation 3:20 says, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and dine with him, and he with Me.” When we open the door of our hearts we are receiving Him, the greatest gift.