Week Three, Wednesday
Ephesians 3:2-6 –
A Mysterious Unification
By Pastor Paul Georgulis
“2 Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you, 3 that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. 4 In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets. 6 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 in Christ Jesus.” – Ephesians 3:2-6 (New International Version)
In Ephesians 1:9, Paul said that God “made known to us the mystery of his will,” but he never elaborated as to what that mystery actually was. He comes back to that thought in this passage, citing the mystery as being “the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you” (verse 2), and “through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus” (verse 6).
The term “gentile” describes anyone who is not Jewish. Paul is saying that all people now have access to God through the Gospel. Before, Jews were the only ones who had access to God through their laws and belief systems. Now – as a result of Jesus’ arrival on the scene and all that He accomplished and changed for us – anyone who follows and believes in Jesus has direct access to God through the Holy Spirit.
The mystery to which Paul was referring is the incredible unity of the church – that we are all one in Christ. Paul writes that as a result of Jesus and the Gospel, we are now heirs together, members together, and sharers together in the promise of Christ Jesus.
I don’t know about you, but I’m blown away by the mysteries of Christ and they make me stand even more in awe of Him each and every day.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank you for your mystery – for making us a part of your family. Thank you for providing a way for us to be reconnected with God and to spend eternity with Him. We stand in awe of you.
In Jesus’ name we pray, amen!
