Tuesday 17th December
Read Ephesians 3:4-6
“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.” (NIVUK)
A mystery is not something we need to solve it is something that is revealed. A mystery is an open secret. Before Jesus, it was unknowable. But the coming of Jesus, His death and resurrection, changed the world.
Not the least of these changes was the relationship between Jew and Gentile. The good news of Jesus, revealed to those like Paul for those like us, brings together that which would have always been apart. Because Gentiles are saved by Jesus and Jews are saved by Jesus also – Jesus unites Jew and Gentile! The truth of this is found in the joint receipt of the Spirit, promised from long ago to Jews yet transforming the lives of Gentiles. Because we and they share the one Spirit we have more in common with each other than anyone who does not possess the Spirit.
This unity seems unreal. It was difficult to fathom then and is even more difficult to fathom now – but the mystery revealed tells us that we have more in common with believers on the other side of the planet than we do with those we may work with. That is the very definition of ‘new’.
