Read Ephesians 3:1-14 . A mystery – a secret! These are the words that we hear to describe how God’s full plan for the world was hidden at first.
What was the mystery? What was the secret? It was that the Chosen People were not just the Jews. The Jews had a special role, but they were not the limit of God’s interest.
Sometimes the Old Testament gave flashes of insight to this truth. We can think back to Isaiah 60, which we studied a few weeks back: “Nations will come to your light and kings to the brightness of your dawn” (Isa 60:3). But sometimes the prophecies here were mixed with desire for the glory of Zion or the lands around it: “the abundance of the sea shall be brought to you; the wealth of the nations shall come to you.” (Isa 60:5).
The prophecy in Isaiah was fulfilled, but not in a way to make Judah a political power again. Matthew tells us of wise men – magi – who came from another region. They followed a star that told them there was a child born to be king for the Jews. This insight was revealed to non-Jews! They brought gifts of gold and frankincense, following Isaiah 60 verse 6. But they also brought myrrh – a substance to embalm the dead. There were mysteries – secrets - still to unfold. Jesus was not a political king. His death would be part of an ongoing story.
Paul himself has had a great insight. Like the star that led the wise men, Paul has had a revelation from God. What was previously hidden has now been revealed. The secret is out – the mystery is there to behold! And he names it directly in verse 6: Gentiles share in God’s promise just as much as Jews. “Members together of one body”, “sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus”.
He talks about a shared inheritance – “heirs” are all about entitlements from being in a family. And Paul is saying that non-Jews – Gentiles – are part of the family.
We don’t often see the word “church” in the Bible, but it’s here in this passage. The church is how God plans to show everyone how to get on. The church should be where everyone knows they belong. We should work to include everyone, even when it’s a struggle to do so. Paul was in prison on account of his work with Gentiles. But Paul makes it clear: that doesn’t mean he’s done wrong! Sometimes rulers and authorities can be wrong.
Can we be a church that shows that it knows? The secret is out! God offers salvation to all.
We must truly be an International Faith Community.
5 Jan 2025
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