"Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; and to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: to the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, according to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: in whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him." Ephesians 3:8-12
Do you know the greatest mystery in the world? It was a mystery not even revealed to the angels of God in heaven until it unfolded in time and was, by the church, made known to the heavenly beings. And did you know that we -- you and I -- are a part of this mystery promised of old but made known in Christ Jesus?
What is this mystery? It is spoken of and revealed in the Bible. It is the plan of God to save both Jew and Gentile through faith in the crucified and risen Messiah Jesus, God the Son and true man, born of the virgin Mary, who suffered and died for the sins of the world under Pontius Pilate and then rose again.
Yes, it was promised; but who understood that the promise of the Seed of the woman, Abraham's Seed, the Son of David, the Child and suffering Servant spoken of by Isaiah would all be fulfilled when God sent forth His own Son into the world, "made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons" (Galatians 4:4-5)? And who knew that Messiah Jesus, through whom God made the worlds, would take upon Himself the punishment for the sins of the world and rise again?
And who knew that God would save both Jew and Gentile through faith in His Son (Ephesians 2:11ff.)? And yet He did. Through the preaching of the Gospel, He even brought you and me to see and know Jesus as our Savior and to trust in Him for forgiveness and life eternal in God's everlasting kingdom.
The apostle Paul was privileged to preach this mystery and you and I are privileged to be a part of it and to share it with others. Through faith in Christ Jesus, who atoned for the sins of the world, you and I are forgiven and have a place in God's eternal kingdom. What a blessing!
We thank You, O Lord, for making known unto us the mystery of Your will in Christ Jesus, our Savior, and bringing us to trust in Him alone for forgiveness of sins and life everlasting. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
[Devotion by Randy Moll. Scripture taken from the King James Version of the Bible.]
Editorial on 07/13/2016